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A HISTORY of 
the WAR ACTIVITIES 

of the 

U.S.S.POCAHONTAS 




1919 



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A History 
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Activities 
of the U.S. S. 
Pocahontas 




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Copyrighted 

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^;) M I C A J A H 
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(m.c.)u. s. navy 




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A History 
of the War Activities 
of the U. S. S. Pocahontas 

By 

MiCAJAII BOLAND, M.A., M.D., U. S. Navy 

^tr HE facts set forth in this history are taken from North German 
^^ Lloyd records, the ship's log, the engine room log, the rough and 
smooth medical journals, ship's files and from notes made by myself, 
notes obtained from various sources on the ship and from memory. 



y^lWHE S. S. PRINZESS IRENE was built by the Vulcan 
( fu Co., Stettin. Launched, June 19, 1900; trial trip, Septem- 

' ^^^ ber 6, 1900. Contract speed, 15 knots at 25 ft. 00 in. draft 
^^p^Length over all, 166.10 m.; over stem, 159.99 ni- 1 width, 
18.30 m. Gross registered tonnage, 10,880.88; net, 6,886.71. 
Tonnage: 18,550 tons at 29' gh" draft in salt water; 63 tons per inch. 
Average speed at sea, 15I knots. Total crew (as North German 
Lloyd passenger vessel), 218. 13 w. t. compartments. Rigging: 
2 masts without yards. Foremast, 34.0 m. Mainmast, 35.2 m. Span 
of masts, 94.5 m. Heavy loading machinery, i boom of 17 tons 
capacity on hatch No. 3. Three steam capstans from Clarke, Chap- 
man & Co. Steam steering apparatus from Brown Bros. Hand 
steering apparatus from Brown Bros. 3 dynamos: each no volts, 
400 amp. Engines from Daevol, Kiel. Dynamos from A. E. G., 
Berlin. Two cooling engines from Linde, Model "O." Submarine 
Bell Apparatus. Wireless telegraph: Marconi Short Distance. 

Engines built by Vulcan Co., Stettin, 1900. German Lloyd (A) 
M.C. about 8,000 ind. H.P. ; 2 piece quadruple expansion. Cylinder 
diameter, 700 mm. (27.6"), 1,020 mm. (40.2"), 1,460 mm. (57.5"), 
2,100 mm. (82.7"). Stroke, 1,400 mm. (55.1")- Revolutions, 73. 
Cooling surface, 2x560=1,120 sq. in., 2x6,028=12,056 sq. ft. 2 four 
blade propellers — nave, cast iron; blades, bronze. Diameter 5,700 
mm. (18' 8|"). Pitch, 6,500 mm. (21' 4"). Boilers: Howdens 
forced draught, built by Vulcan Co., Stettin. 3 cylinder double 
boiler; 3 cylinder single boiler; number of fires, 27; diameter of fires: 
outside, 1,200 mm., inside, 1,100 mm. Steam pressure, 213 lbs. 
Weight of boilers, 396 tons; water contents, 174 tons. Fresh water for 



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feeding 260 cu. meters in double bottoms. Coal consumption, 148 tons, 
including auxiliary purposes for 8,000 ind. H.P. 2 funnels, both 
height 1 1.50 m., diameter 3.40 m. 

The S. S. Prinzess Irene had run between Hamburg and New 
York, had also been cruising to the Mediterranean and Far East. 

By executive order No. 2651, dated, "The White House, June 30, 
1917," authority for which was contained in joint Resolution adopted 
by Congress and approved by the President on May 12, 1917, the 
President directed the U. S. Shipping Board to take "possession and 
title" of the S. S. Prinzess Irene and 86 other enemy ships, to "repair, 
equip and man; to operate, lease or charter the same in any service 
of the United States or in any commerce, foreign or coastwise." 

Upon reporting for duty on July 23, 1917 in connection with 
fitting out the Prinzess Irene, it was found that a number of officers 
and men were already on board, among the officers being a Junior 
Medical Officer, who had submitted tentative plans for the sick-bay, 
etc. These plans and the ship were inspected, after which the sick- 
bay plans were modified in some particulars. Then, on the after- 
noon of the 23rd, Commander J. F. Hellweg, Commanding Officer, 
Lieutenant Commander B. H. Green, Executive Officer, and myself 
visited the C & R Department at the Navy Yard, New York, New 
York, and had a lengthy conference with Naval Constructor H. T. 
Wright, U. S. N., in regard to work of refitting the ship for trans- 
porting troops. Work had been going on in the engine room and 
holds for some time and was commenced in quarters selected for 
the sick-bay on July 25th. 

The members of the crew aboard were billeted and messed on 
the Kaiser Wilhelm II (now the U. S. S. Agamemnon), at that time 
acting as receiving ship, and the officers lived ashore, getting lunch on 
the receiving ship. 

On July 25th, 1917 about 4:00 p. m., Commander Ryan, U. S. N. 
(Retired), Aide to Commandant, came on board with telegraphic 
orders (Bunav 15423 of July 23, 1917) from Navy Department, to 
put the ship in commission immediately. Colors, commission pen- 
nant and a bugler were hastily borrowed, and eight officers, some in 
whites, some in blues, and some in dungarees, and about twenty en- 
listed men, no two in the same kind of uniform, and mostly barefoot, 
were assembled on "B" deck, starboard side aft, near the present 
sick-bay. Commander Ryan read the orders placing the ship in 
commission, as U. S. S. Princess Irene. The bugler sounded "colors" 
and the colors were broken out at 4:40 p. m. and commission pennant 
hoisted. 

About July 28th a wardroom mess was started, a seaman who 
"admitted" that he knew something about cooking was installed in 
the gallery, and with newspapers for a table cloth we were "ofif." 
Sugar, salt and pepper were on the table in cups, with a spoon in 



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each; at breakfast the first morning, the coffee tasted salty and every- 
body thought they had "sweetened" their coffee with salt. A new lot 
of coffee was obtained and this time the sugar was tested before being 
used, but the coffee was still salty. "Our friend" the cook was sent 
for and asked where he got the water to make the coffee. He said he 
dipped it from over the side with a bucket. We were lying in 
Wallabout Basin. 

The date originally set for completion of repairs was August ist, 
this was advanced to August 15th, and later several times until finally 
she started on her trial trip at 6:00 a. m., iVugust 29th. In the mean- 
time repairs were going on. Several small fires occurred in the life 
preservers stored in the second class saloon, now the after mess com- 
partment. On August nth, a new boat fall carried away during a 
test and upon examination it appeared that an acid had been injected 
into the heart of the rope with a hypodermic syringe, the damage 
being not apparent to ordinary observation. The ends were sent to the 
Naval Hospital, Brooklyn, for chemical examination and the chemist 
reported approximately one gramme of commercial hydrochloric 
acid recovered. Apparently it was the work of an enemy who hoped 
to render the boat useless at sea. 

We left the yard at 6:00 a. m., August 29th, for a trial trip. At 
noon a fire broke out amongst some life preservers, life rings and 
Jacob's ladders stored in a small shack just abaft the after funnel on 
the boat deck; some difficulty was experienced in getting pressure 

enough on fire main to raise 
water to boat deck; in the mean- 
time used pyrene and hand gren- 
ades; finally pressure was ob- 
tained and the fire was extin- 
guished. At 4:21 p. m., the same 
day, anchored off 96th street in 
North River, where we coaled 
and took on provisions. 

On September 2nd proceed- 
ed to Pier I, Hoboken, for 
troops. Seotember 3rd Lieuten- 
ant Colonel Clark, M. C, U. S. 
A., from Surgeon's office, Port 
of Embarkation, came on board 
and inspected the ship. All the 
holds were fitted with wooden 
standees in tiers three deep. 
Upper No. 2 hold was kept for 
a troop messroom. At 1 1 p. m., 
Sept. 5th, M. A. Ryan, Ptr-3, 
fell from his hammock, fractur- 
skull, and was sent to St. 
Mary's Hospital, Hoboken. 




The U. S. S. Princess Irene on September 7, 1917, was renamed 
U. S. S. Pocahontas in accordance with instructions in Bunav 
telegram 09304, dated September 4, 1917. The tug Pocahontas was 
renamed Chemung on the same day. The New York Herald Co. 
presented Captain Hellweg with a steel engraving of the Indian 
Princess Pocahontas, from a statue by Bernard. This engraving 
still adorns the wardroom, occupying the place formerly devoted to 
an oil painting of Prinzess Irene, sister of the former Kaiser Wil- 
helm II, and in whose honor the ship was named. 

On September 7th embarked 138 officers and 2,421 troops of the 
9th and 23rd Infantry. Underway at 5 : 17 p. m., anchored at Tomp- 
kinsville at 7:00 p. m. 

At 10:00 p. m. underway for the first trip, convoyed bv the 
cruiser U. S. S. Hunlington and destroyers Duncan and Mc'Call; 
the ships in the convoy being POCAHONTAS, Huron, Henry C. Mal- 
lory, Tenedores, Pastor es, De Kalb and the collier Man wee. Ac- 
companying us on this trip was one civilian, Mr. Howard Wheeler, 
editor of "Everybodv's Magazine," who was en route to Europe to 
secure Mr. Brand Whitlock's story "Belgium" which later appeared 
serially in "Everybody's." He also wrote an article, entitled "The 
Skipper," on his impressions of the trip, in which he paid a high 
tribute to our beloved Captain, Commander Hellweg; this article 
appeared in "Evervbody's Magazine" for May, 1918. 

During the night of September 8th, starboard engine broke down 
and we lost the convoy; went ahead on port engine and repaired star- 
board. We heard nothing from convoy all the day of the 9th, so 
thought we would have to make the best of our way across alone, 
as the convoy was by that time so far ahead we would not hope to 
overtake it. Early on the morning of the loth, received peremptory 
orders to rejoin the convoy at a given point, and to do this it was 
necessary to steam west. Fell in with the convoy about noon (the 
loth) and, in obedience to orders from the convoy Commander, 
steamed alongside the Huntington, the Captain making a verbal re- 
port to the convoy Commander regarding condition of engines. 

Had serious trouble from the beginning with the sanitary flush- 
ing system, frequently having to bail water from over the side to 
flush No. I, troop latrine. Drain pipes from latrines frequently clog- 
ged and plumber reported them stopped with such things as whole 
rolls of toilet paper, leggins, underclothes, old shoes and, in one 
instance, a mess kit. 

There was not a light on the ship outside of engine and fire rooms 
and chart house. Officers and crews quarters, galleys, pantries, pas- 
sages and troop holds were in absolute darkness. On the night of 
September 15, it was reported that a soldier in lower No. q troop 
hold was having a "fit." The executive officer and myself went 
below with flashlights and located his bunk, but were unable to locate 
the man himself. He fell through his bunk upon the man sleeping 
under him, but was all right the next day. On September 15th target 



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practice was held. On the night of the i6th slop shute forward car- 
ried away, and there was about six inches of garbage on the deck; 
this was collected in barrels and immediately dumped overboard on 
the lee side. Garbage was collected in the shutes throiighout the 
day and dumped during the midwatch, all cans being cut through so 
they would sink. 

Had trouble with army officers smoking after lights were out. 
One officer was detected lighting a match about 9:00 o'clock one 
night and was reported and recommended for general court martial 
for endangering the whole ship by showing light. 

The Huntington had an observation balloon, which was kept 
several hundred feet in the air from sunrise to sunset, with an ob- 
server in the basket. At 9:39 a. m., September 17th, the balloon was 
struck by a sudden squall; became unmanageable while being hauled 
in and whipped down to the water, then back to the length of its 
cable, a number of times; finally it lay on the water, wrecked, but the 
observer, with a number of broken bones, was by this time uncon- 
scious. A shipwright dived over the side, extricated him, and they 
were hauled on board. The shipwright was later recommended for 
a gold life saving medal and gratuity. 

The engine room had continual trouble with feed pumps and 
during the last 24 hours before getting into port only one feed pump 
was in commission. During the last few days of the trip the phos- 
phorescence was beautiful, the water, along the sides of the ship for 

fifty feet or more away, seemed 
as though illuminated by cargo 
lights and the wake of the ship 
could be followed for miles. 
Porpoises going through the 
water gave the effect of a 
pedo. 

September i8th, 8:30 a. 
sighted four destroyers on port 
beam; they soon joined the con- 
voy as escort and at 9:30 a. m. 
Huntington left, heading west; 
at 9:50 a. m. the same day Dun- 
can and McCall left convoy, 
heading west. The morning of 
September 19th was foggy with 
a strong wind blowing. Our 
radio picked up S O S from a 
ship that was being shelled by an 
enemy submarine. It was later 
learned that this submarine had 
sunk a French patrol boat about 
5,000 yards from us, on our lee 
side, all hands being lost. Had 




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the day been clear one of the convoys might have been sunk. At 
6:25 p. m., 19th, sighted Sousan Light and at 8:38 p. m. anchored oft 
Belle Isle. Underway at daybreak September 20th, and at 6:00 p. m. 
entered lock at St. Nazaire to go into the Basin. The streets and 
docks were packed with an enthusiastic crowd of French and Amer- 
icans; the troops on board were wild with enthusiasm; the band 
played "The Star Spangled Banner" and the "Marseillaise," as the 
ship passed through the lock. At 7:30 p. m. moored in basin. Troops 
were debarked the next day and five patients (Army) transferred to 
Base Hospital No. loi. Repairs to engines kept us in port eight 
days, a number of the officers, including the writer, taking advan- 
tage of this delay to visit Paris. 

On September 29th at 5 :oo a. m. all the ships of the convoy 
started on the return voyage escorted by destroyers for 48 hours, after 
which they kept in formation until after passing longitude 30", then 
each for himself. When the signal was given for the convoy to break 
up, the Huron immediately forged ahead and led the convoy, but 
within a few hours had dropped behind all the other ships and was 
the last to arrive at Hoboken. On the return trip a naval ensign 
and an American boy living in Paris, but who had an appointment to 
the U. S. Naval Academy, were passengers. All the medical officers 
stood a "lookout" watch on the flying bridge on the westbound trip. 
The Pocahontas arrived at Hoboken 7:00 p. m., October 9th. 
Many things that occurred on this trip and could have been fraught 
with serious consequences, now, 
in retrospect, seem very humor- 
ous, and the original members of 
the wardroom mess, who are still 
on the ship, often discuss the 
events and problems of that first 
trip. 

After extensive repairs at 
Morse Dry Dock Company's 
Plant, where among other things 
a heating system and battle 
lights were installed, we re- 
turned to Ploboken on Novem- 
ber 6th for provisions and coal, 
preparatory to another trip. 

On November 13th, 2,383 offi- 
cers and men of the i qth Infan- 
try, New York, National Guard 
(colored), commanded bv Col- 
onel "Bill" Hayward," em- 
barked. This regiment had five 
negro officers, including Lieu- 
tenant "Jim" Europe, Band 
Leader. Lieutenant Europe Capiam J. F. Hellweg 







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was killed in a theatre in Boston, during a concert in May, 1919, by 
one of his bandsmen whom he had reprimanded. 

At 8:30 p. m. underway, escorted by U. S. S. San Diego and the 
destroyers Rowe and Monaghau. The ships of the convoy were 
Pocahontas, Madawaska and Powhatan. On November nth, due 
to the bending of the piston rod and breaking of the slide valve of the 
starboard low pressure cylinder, the ship returned to port arriving 
at Hoboken 2:00 p. m. November 14th. The troops remained on 
board until 11 :oo a. m., the i6th. On the 15th, Fred A. Russel, Bug- 
ler, 15th Infantry, New York, National Guard, while attempting 
to demonstrate the use of a colt automatic .45, in upper No. 6 hold, 
shot himself through the head. He was immediately sent to St. 
Mary's Hospital, Hoboken, where he died several days later. 

The piston rod and slide valve were repaired and preparations 
again undertaken for going to sea. The 15th New York was reas- 
signed to us and scheduled to embark on December 3rd. At 2:00 
p. m., December ist, a bunker fire was discovered (by means of a 
fireman leaning against the bulkhead and finding it hot) in No. 2 
thwartship bunker. We were not permitted to go to sea and im- 
mediately commenced discharging the coal from this bunker, 760 
tons in all. Had we been permitted to proceed to sea this bunker 
could have been emptied first for steaming and cleaned in about five 
days. 

Troops embarked on December 3rd, as scheduled, before all the 
coal was discharged. We missed our convoy and had to wait for the 
next one on December 12th. No liberty was granted anyone after 
the fire was discovered on December ist. Incidentally there was no 
liberty for Navy personnel from November 30, 1917, till January 
2, 1918. 

Quite a funny incident happened when the 15th New York were 
aboard in November, the facts about it being obtained in a round- 
about way and by piecemeal at intervals during the following two 
months. It appears that a certain officer of the 15th New York 
came on board in November feeling quite exhilarated, so after turn- 
ing in (he had a lower berth), commenced pushing with his feet 
against the upper bunk (occupied by a brother officer), which car- 
ried away and fell on him; the officer occupying this bunk then did a 
little jumping up and down on his own account, the bed springs 
bruising up his neighbor considerably. After our return for repairs 
the bruised up officer reached home considerably plastered up with 
adhesive and told his wife he had started to France, but there had 
been an explosion on the ship, necessitating its return to port for 
repairs, and that he was injured in this explosion. Incidentally, this 
officer fell down a flight of steps, between our return on November 
14th and our departure on December 12th, and broke his leg, so did 
not make the trip with us. 



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At 3:15 p. m. oil 
December 12th, left 
pier at Hoboken and 
anchored in Graves- 
end Bay to wait for 
the rest of the con- 
voy. On the 13th a 
storm was threaten- 
ing (barometer at 12 
m., 30.24) ; during 
the afternoon the ba- 
rometer falling 
rapidly, the pilot in- 
formed the Captain 
that if he wished to 
get out that day, it 
would be wise to sail 
before night-fall, but 
it was necessary to 
await orders from 
convoy commander. 
At 8:00 p. m. under- 
way (barometer, 
29.78) ; at 8 130 wea- 
ther became thick 
and a blinding snow 
storm set in, the 
win,d blowing a gale. 
The weather was too 
thick to proceed 
with safety, so at 
9:00 p. m. anchored 
about 32 miles north 
(true) of northern 
entrance to Ambrose 
Channel, no land- 
marks visible. At 
9:10 p. m. battle 
watch set; 2 :oo a. m.. 
barometer, 29.06, a 
fall of 1. 18 inches in 
14 hours. 

At 2 :30 a. m. 
(14th), let go star- 
board anchor; at 
2:-?i; a. m., British 
tank steamer San 
Tirso, dragging an- 



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chor, struck us on starboard bow at after end of forecastle, making 
large hole from forecastle deck down to well deck, then swung along- 
side where she remained till 6:00 a. m., when she got underway, 
smashing No. 9 life-boat in getting away from the side. At daybreak 
work was started cutting away debris around hole in side, then it was 
shored up both inboard and outboard with timbers bolted together 
and the intervening space filled in with reinforced concrete. We 
made the round trip with this patch in place. When we were struck 
a sailor was thrown from No. i hatch down into No. i hold; his ankle 
was badly sprained and he was rendered semiconscious; there was 
partial stampede of troops and the first thing he remembers was being 
stepped on by the troops trying to get out of the hold. He did not mind 
his ankle being sprained but was "peeved" at being run over by 
negro troops. One armv officer informed me the next day that he 
was very tired as he had been up ever since the collision. 

At 8:00 p. m. December 14th, got underway, escorted by the 
U. S. S. North Carolina and the destroyers Rowe and Monaghan. 
The ships of the convoy were the POCAHONTAS^ President Lincoln, 
Covington, Henderson, De Knlb, Susquehanna and Antigone. 

Target practice was held on December 20th and 21st. During 
our stay in port, blue standing lights had been installed in troop holds, 
galleys, pantries, crew quarters and passages, all other lights out from 
sunset to sunrise; at this season of the year from about 4:25 p. m. to 
7:00 a. m. or later. Shortly after "lights out" of an evening, the 
troops (colored) usually had "bayonet practice." It was almost a 
nightly occurrence to have several bayonet wounds to dress. On one 
occasion I dressed a severe incised wound of the wrist; upon inquiry 
as to how it happened, was informed by the victim that he and 
another soldier had an argument as to which could draw his knife 
the quickest; they made a bet of five dollars, put their knives in 
their pockets and at a given signal proceeded to "draw," the one with 
the wound naturally lost the bet, and both were satisfied. 

Picked up destroyer convoy (seven destroyers) morning of 
December 24th, and at 11 :i5 a. m. the U. S. S. North Carolina left 
convoy, heading west. There were several cases of lobar pneumonia 
en this trip, one case being a West Indian negro, Reid by name, who 
prior to joining the 15th New York had been employed on mule 
transports. He was on a ship sunk in the North Sea by an enemy 
torpedo, and in May, 1917, was on a ship sunk by gunfire from an 
enemy submarine just outside of Belle Isle. He was extremely ill, 
but needless to say recovered and probably went through the war 
without a scratch, if his usual luck held good. 

At 3:50 p. m., December 26th, convoy separated, Susquehanna, 
Henderson, Antigone and De Kalb with three destroyers heading 
for St. Nazaire; the POCAHONTAS, President Lincoln and Covington 
with four destroyers heading for Brest. December 27th, 9:05 a. m. 



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sighted land; 9:20 a. m., picked up two airplanes on starboard bow; 
at 12 :34 p. m., anchored in Brest harbor. 

December 28th, 4:00 p. m., eleven Army patients transferred to 
Naval Base Hospital No. i. 

January i, 1918, 7:10 a. m., troops debarked and sent to St. 
Nazaire by rail, in cars whose rated capacity was "40 hommes" or 
"8 cheveaux." January 2nd, 8:14 a. m., underway, and at 9:22 a. m., 
secured to dock. Port du Commerce, and commenced discharging 
cargo. Repairs to engines were going on while in port. 

January 9th, 8:40 a. m., Everett M. Reside, Sea-2, died from 
lobar pneumonia, remains embalmed and returned to United States. 

At 11:20 a. m. officers and crew mustered at ciuarters and as- 
sembled on after "A" deck. Commander J. F. Hellweg read Bureau 
orders detaching him from command of the POCAHONTAS and Com- 
mander D. ]\1. Wood assumed command. The Captain's writer had 
been instructed to prepare all necessary papers for turning over the 
command. An "old time" yeoman told him to prepare, among other 
things, a receipt for "one ship and equipage" which he did and pro- 
cured Commander Wood's signature to it. 

At 4:35 p. m. Commander fiellweg left the ship, attended at the 
gangway by every officer on the ship. He went to command the 
U. S. S. Marietta, on the Mediterranean station; he joined her in 
Gibralter, going there by way of Spain. 

January 17th, 8:05 a. m., cast off from dock and underway in 
company with President Lincoln and Covington, and escorted by 
four destroyers; at 5 :o5, darkened ship and set battle watches. 

At 12 m., January 17th, barometer, which had been comparatively 
steady for several days, started down, from 29.95, by jumps until it 
reached the minimum for the trip of 28.40 at 10:00 a. m., January 
19th; steady till noon when it went to 28.41, and reached 29.00 at 2:00 
a. m. on ist, then stayed below 29.50 until 5:00 a. m. 23rd; reached 
29.96 at 1 1 :oo a. m. 25th ; error not known. 

January i8th, 2:00 p. m., destroyers left convoy and headed east; 
weather became rough and continued so for several days. January 
2 1 St, sharp lightning continuously throughout first watch; variable 
winds and heavy rain squalls during mid watch (January 22nd) ; hail 
throughout forenoon watch; mess bench washed overboard. 1:10 
p. m., No. I lookout, stationed on forecastle peak, carried away. 
January 26th, ship rolling 30° during afternoon watch. 

January 25th, picked up distress message from American steamer 
City of Wilmington and headed south. Fell in with her 5:10 a. m. 
the 27th, and by 8:00 a. m. had secured tow line to her. From this 
time on we towed her at intervals, but most of the time were standing 
by, repairing lines and trying to get them to her. At 5:17 p. m., 
January 31st, finally got a line to her that held until we reached 
Bermuda. At 5:30 a. m., February ist, United States Revenue Cut- 
ter Seminole, and on February 5th U. S. S. Mars, joined us and stood 
by until we reached St. George, Bermuda, at 5 :j[.6 p. m., February 



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6th. 9:51 a. m. February 7th, underway for dock yard. 11 145 a. m. 
pratique granted and at 2:00 p. m. moored in dock yard outboard 
U. S. S. Mars. 

February 8th, coaling ship. The writer visited the Royal Naval 
Hospital. Two U. S. naval patients were received the next day 
from this hospital for transfer to the United States. 

February 9th, 10:10 a. m., underway and swung ship that after- 
noon. Arrived Newport News 3:15 p. m., February nth. 

February 14th, 9:15 p. m. Commander E. C.-Kalbfus reported 
on board and at 5 :oo p. m. the next day assumed command of the ship. 
Commander Wood leaving the ship at 5 : 15 p. m. 

February i6th, 11:00 a. m., underway for New York, arriving 
Hoboken 2:30 p. m. on the 17th. Went to Navy Yard berth No. 13 
at 4:30 p. m. the next day, for three weeks' overhaul. The sanitary 
flushing system was overhauled and put in excellent condition dur- 
ing the stay and has since been eminently satisfactory, and system 
was changed from a continuous flow to a periodic flush every two 
minutes. The wooden standees were taken out of No. 3 hold and 
folding iron standees with canvas bottoms were installed. Twenty 
"ever warm" life suits were delivered to Supply Officer for use of 
patients. 

At 4:45 p. m., March nth, went to Pier i, Hoboken, and on 
March 14th, 2,405 officers and troops of the following organizations 
embarked: i6th U. S. Engineers, 314 F. A. and March Replace- 
ment Draft. 

Underway from Hoboken at 5:15 p. m. the same day and 
anchored at Gravesend Bay 8:16 p. m. Port high pressure cylinder 
out of commission; ship's force working on it. 1 1 :56 p. m., cylinder 
repaired and underway, escorted by U. S. S. Rochester; the ships of 
the convoy were POCAHONTAS^ Henderson, Aeolus, Henry C. Mal- 
lory and Matsonia. Midnight darkened ship and set battle watches. 
On the night of March i6th Mnllory and Aeolus got lost from con- 
voy but fell in with us at 5:30 a. m. the 17th. March i8th, target 
practice. 

March 19th, 6:10 a. m., Jess B. Flewitt, Private ist Class, 314 
Field Artillery, died of lobar pneumonia. 21st, Matsonia signaled 
over to know if we could spare any diphtheria antitoxin, and at 8:17 
a. m., 22nd, sent boat for 130,000 units. 5 :io p. m., March 23rd, Cor- 
nelius Frommeyer, Private, March Rep. Draft, died of lobar pneu- 
monia. Both bodies embalmed and returned to the United States. 
8:00 p. m., March 25th, Walter Davis, Private (colored), 3rd Co. 
March Rep. Draft, died of cerebro-spinal meningitis. The ship's 
embalmer being ill, the body was not embalmed, but was buried in 
American cemetery (St. Nazaire) No. 21, plot B, grave 52, on 
March 27, 1918. 

At 6:50 a. m. destroyer escort joined convoy, and at 7:30 a. m. 
Rochester left, heading west. 10:20 a. m., March 26th, anchored 
in river below St. Nazaire; 5 :30 p. m. entered lock and at 6:50 p. m. 



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secured to dock. 6:55 a. m., March 27th, troops commenced to 
debark, and at 9:00 a. m. nineteen Army patients transferred to Base 
Hospital No. loi. 

March 29th, thirty-four Army patients embarked for trans- 
portation to United States, and at 4:10 p. m. the same day, underway 
with convoy and escort of three destroyers for return trip; at 9:05 
p. m., set battle watches. March 30th at 6:15 p. m., destroyer escort 
left convoy and headed east. 

On April 2nd, had a severe storm about 1 1 130 p. m., the baro- 
meter going from 29.00 at 7:00 p. m. to 29.66 at midnight; reaching 
30.22 at noon next day (3rd) . 

Nineteen tubercular patients (one officer, three nurses and fif- 
teen enlisted men) were sleeping on lee side of "B" deck on cots; the 
nurses and officer got below before the storm broke, the officer's cot, 
mattress and bedding going overboard. Frank Oboshaw, Private, 
an Indian, was found hanging on outboard fire plug, his cot having 
broken adrift. 

1 1 150 a. m., April 5th, sighted convoy of eight ships going east and 
bearing 350°. 12:00 m. made recognition signals to cruiser of east- 
bound convoy. At 12:20 p. m. Cruiser Frederick, due to mistaking 
our signals, fired shot across our bow and stood over towards us. 
Slowed to 1/3 speed and at 1:10 p. m. proceeded on our course, 
296 P. S. C. Arrived Hoboken, Pier No. 2, April 9th, 8 :30 a. m. 

Thirty-four Army patients transferred to Receiving Hospital, 
Ellis Island, and remains of Hewitt and Frommeyer delivered to 
effects quartermaster. Coaled ship, received stores, and on April 
15th, 2,426 officers and troops of the 6Tst Infantry embarked. 

At 10:48 a. m., April i6th, escorted bv U. S. S. Seattle and accom- 
panied by Calaviares, JSIadn-'caska, Maui, Mount Vernon, El 
Orienta, Czar and Czarita, sailed for France; April 23rd, target 
practice. 

April 26th, at 6:23 a. m., sighted destroyer escort (twelve de- 
stroyers) , and at 8 :o8 Seattle left convoy. 

5:35 a. m. Destroyer Roe sounded submarine warning (six blasts 
on whistle), and at ^ :45 Calamares broke out submarine warning 
flag denoting submarine to port. At 6:35, resumed course. 

At i2:-?o a. m., April 28th, destroyer on port bow gave submarine 
warning, the POCAI-IONTAS received several severe jars as though pass- 
ing over some submerged object, but it was never determined whether 
this was an enemv submarine, some submerged wreckage, or the dis- 
charge of depth bombs. 

At 10:55 a. m. secured to dock in Port Du Commerce, Brest, and 
troops immediately debarked. Twelve Army patients sent to U. S. 
Navy Base Hospital No. i, one patient (lobar pneumonia), too ill 
to move, was keot on board and was convalescent by the time we 
reached United States. 

At 5:30 p. m., April 29th, underwav for United States, after a 
stay of tvventy-nine hours in port, escorted by two destroyers and one 



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patrol boat; at 6:50 p. m., April 30th, escort left the convoy and 
headed east. 

At 10:20 a. m. on May 2nd, while steaming alone, a large enemy 
cruiser submarine came to the surface about 7,000 yards away on our 
starboard quarter and opened fire with both guns; the Commanding 
Officer took the deck, ordered full speed ahead under forced draft 
and immediately commenced to zig-zag. Crew went to battle sta- 
tions; opened fire with No. 5 and 6 guns at range of 6,000 yards, 
raised it immediately to 8,000, then to extreme elevation, but all shots 
still fell short. Nos. i and 2 guns were fired when they could be 
brought to bear on the submarine, but at extreme elevation shots 
from all guns fell short. Enemy shells commenced to fall all around 
the ship at 10:30 and exploded on contact, many fragments falling on 
board. Several pieces of enemy shell-base were obtained, from the 
measurements of which a curve was plotted and the bore of the guns 
was determined to be 4.7. 

Several members of the crew had a fight on "C" deck during the 
battle, over the possession of particularly large fragment of shrapnel. 
Pocahontas fired last shot at u :20 a. m. ; it fell 3,000 yards short. 
The fact that the ship escaped was due entirely to the sound judg- 
ment and excellent seamanship of Captain Kalbfus. Number of 
shots fired by the enemy, 31 ; POCAHONTAS, 49. We were well out- 
side of the so-called war zone and this cruiser was possibly on its way 
to the American coast and one of the first to arrive. The rest of 
the trip was without incident, and we reached Newport News at 
8:00 p. m. May 8th. Coaled ship and took provisions. Obtained 
new powder and sharp-nose shells. 

May 17th, embarked 2,369 officers and troops of the 102nd 
Engineers, Commanded by Colonel Cornelius Vanderbilt, and at 
3 :58 p. m., underway to Hampton Roads, where we anchored at 4:47 
p. m. A Board of Ordinance Officers came on board to test our 
guns the next day (i8th), in order to determine why they did not 
have a greater range on May 2nd. 8:153 a. m., i8th, underway, but 
weather foggy and could not test guns. Board left the ship. Reached 
Cape Henry sea buoy at noon and "lay to" awaiting convoy until 
7:55 p. m., when we anchored off buoy 2 CB. 

10:45 P- '"'''■) underway, escorted by the U. S. S. Huntington and 
destroyers Kimberly and JVinsloiv and in company with Susque- 
hanna, Madawaska, Zelanda, Bridge, Finland, President Grant, 
Calamares, El Occidenti, Rei D'ltalia, Due D'Aosta and Due 
D'Abruzzi. On May 19th, picked SOS from steamer "Nyanza" 
that she was being shelled and chased by raider; her position was 
200 miles distant, bearing 78° (true) from our position. 

10:45 ^- ^'^- today sighted an eastbound convoy of twenty-eight 
ships. 

May 22nd, 12 m., Zelandia lost a man overboard. 

May 25th, 10:40 p. m., Charles G. Crawford, Sea-2, while climb- 
ing to the lookout station on searchlight platform, with a handful 



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of sandwiches, fell about 20 feet, fracturing right femur and left 
first metatarsal. 

May 26th, 3:50 p. m., sighted an object ahead; all ships in con- 
voy went to battle quarters and several opened fire; our course event- 
ually brought object on our starboard bow about thirty yards away; 
No. I gun fired six shots. Huntington and Madau'aska, firing almost 
directly at us, their shells bursting on contact, splashed water on the 
forecastle until the POCAHONTAS broke out the "cease firing" signal. 
The object proved to be an overturned clinker built life-boat. The 
only hit made was by the PoCx^HONTAS starboard one pounder. 

May 28th, 3 :20 p. m., escort of six destroyers joined the convoy 
and at 3:55 p. m. Huntington left, heading west. 5:05 p. m. Cala- 
inares hoisted submarine warning flag, and a destroyer dropped 
several depth charges. 

May 29th, 4:00 p. m.. Due D'Abruzzi took a bad sheer to right, 
nearly ramming POCAHONTAS. 

May 30th, 1 :55 p. m., sighted two hydroplanes; 2:15 p. m., sighted 
land; 2:35 p. m., port submarine warning flag shown in convoy. All 
ships in convoy tired at intervals and several depth charges were 
dropped by destroyers. At 10:45 P- n^- entered locks at St. Nazaire, 
France, and at 1 1 :5o, secured to dock. 

During this trip Colonel Vanderbilt entertained those at the 
Captain's table with reminiscences of his acquaintance with the 
Kaiser and Crown Prince and spoke of having met, on a number of 
occasions, the Princess Irene, sister of the Kaiser. 

6:20 a. m.. May 31st, troops disembarking. One Army and one 
Navy patient (Crawford), transferred to Base Hospital No. loi. 

June ist, 9:25 a. m., eighty-three Army patients^and seven general 
court martial prisoners embarked for transportation to the United 
States. 

At 5:30 a. m. June 2nd, underway; 11:00 a. m., anchored in 
Quiberon Bay' to wait for convoy. 

June 5th, abandon ship drill; lowered all life boats and pulled 
away from the side. 4:17 p. m., underway and battle watches set. 

3:10 a. m., June 7th, the escort left convoy and headed north. 

June 9th, 4:50 a. m., Louis W. Leonhardt, Private, 4th Prov. 
Recruiting Battalion, a patient, escaped from his guards, jumped 
overboard and was lost. 

At 12:44, June nth, sighted a spar bearing 30° and fired two 
shots at it from No. i and 5 guns. 

June i6th, 12:05 P- "^-j arrived Newport News and immediately 
transferred seventy-six Army patients to Embarkation Hospital and 
six Navy and U. S. M. C. patients to the Naval Hospital, Norfolk. 

June 17th, Hugh St. Elmo Croft, F-2, of our crew, drowned at 
Ocean View at i :io p. m. while swimming. Body recovered and 
forwarded to next of kin by Naval Hospital at Naval Training Base. 

June 2ist, 8:00 to II :oo, advanced guard of troops embarking. 



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June 22nd, 8:30 a. m., troops embarking. 6:24 p. m., underway. 
7:27 p. m., anchored Hampton Roads. 

June 23rd, 6:12 a. m., underway, having 2,661 Officers and troops 
of the 147th Infantry and 112th Ohio Engineers, escorted by the 
U. S. S. South Dakota and destroyer Gregory, the following ships 
being in the convoy: POCAHONTAS^ Calamares, Bridge, Susque- 
hanna, Rei D'ltalia, Due D'Aosta, Patria, Due D'Abruzzi, Napotin, 
Jannette and Robert E. Lee. 

June 25th, intercepted SOS, Khiva being chased and shelled 
by raider; position, 40° 57' N. 61° 01' W. 

July 3rd, 5:50 p. m. Destroyer escort joined convoy. South 
Dakota left, heading west at 6:04 p. m. 

July 5th, 10:00 a. m., sighted land. 11:51 a. m., anchored in 
harbor at Brest. 2:20 p. m., secured to dock, Port du Commerce. 
4:06 p. m., troops debarking. 

At 9:10 a. m., July 6th, Captain R. T. Murdock, former master 
of the Canadian schooner Rothesay, reported on board for passage 
to United States. 2 :oo p. m., draft of fifty men from Base No. 7, 
nucleus crew No. 35 and 3 G. C. M. prisoners received for trans- 
portation to United States. 

July 7th, nine patients received from Navy Base Hospital No. 5 
for transfer to United States. 

July 8, 10:00 a. m. Received from Base Hospital No. i, forty- 
nine Army patients and one attendant for transfer to the United 
States. 7:04 p. m., underway with convoy and escort of six de- 
stroyers. Set clocks back one hour and at 6:40 p. m. set battle watches. 

July 9th, 9:55 a. m., destroyer on starboard side fired shot, hoisted 
starboard submarine warning and dropped several depth charges. 

July loth, 8 :30 p. m., destroyer escort left convoy and headed east. 

July 1 2th, I :^o a. m., passed Red Cross steamer close aboard on 
starboard side; she was illuminated with large red lights in the form 
of crosses on bow, sides and stern. 

July i6th, 11:05 ^- ^'^■j passed red buoy marked "I"; this same 
buoy was seen again on our next westbound trip on the afternoon of 
August 15th, about 100 miles from its location on July i6th. 

July 19th, 5 :oo p. m. Cape Charles light ship abeam. 8.10 p. m. 
anchored Newport News, Va. 

July 20th, II :20 a. m., docked; 11 :30 a. m.. Commanding Officer 
personally destroyed secret orders by burning. Transferred Army 
patients to embarkation hospital; Navy and U. S. M. C. patients to 
Naval Hospital, Norfolk, Va. 

Ship camouflaged while in port this trip, and wooden standees 
replaced by iron ones. Some folding, others stationary. Upper No. 
2 hold, which had formerly been used as messroom, now equipped 
with folding standees. 

July 26th, 2,784 officers and men of the 314, 332, 335 Labor Bat- 
talions embarked. 11:15 ^- ^'^■j underway, escorted by U. S. S. Hunt- 
ington and destroyers Little and Connor and accompanied by Bridge, 



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Henderson, Susquehanna, Kroonhnid, Finland, Sobral, Casieta, Due 
D'Aosta, U/ua and Tasmania. (The latter a British transport with 
Australian troops.) 

July 29th, 11:17 p.m. (G. M.T.),D!(r£)'.:?o.v/^; lost soldier over- 
board; made "man overboard" signal and let go four life buoys, one 
of them luminous. Man was not seen after falling overboard. " 

August 3rd, 2 :2o a. m., Jethro .McMahon, Private Co. "B", 335th 
Labor Battalion, died of tuberculosis, acute miliary, pulmonary. 
Body embalmed and returned to the United States. 

August 4th, 6:23 a. m., sighted destroyer escort. Huntington de- 
parted, headed west. 

August 6th, 3:55 p. m., anchored Brest harbor. 

August 7th, 9:20 a. m., troops debarking on lighters. loi^jo a. m., 
forty-nine Army patients transferred to Hospital, Port of Debarka- 
tion. 

August 8th, 11:00 a. m., received thirty-two Army and eight 
U. S. M. C. patients for transportation to the United States, also 
fifty Army officers and seventy-five enlisted men for transportation to 
the United States. Emile De Muelder, Warrant Officer, French 
Navy, Pilot, and Lieutenant iMonterio Gomes of the Portuguese 
Army reported aboard for transportation to the United States. 4:40 
p. m., underway with convoy and escort. 

August 9th, 1 1 :3o a. m., destroyer bearing 300° commenced to 
drop depth bombs and dropped a total of twenty-four. 

August 15th, 4:30 p. m., sighted the same buoy seen on July i6th, 
and held target practice, using buoy for target. 

August 1 8th, 4:17 p. m., moored to Pier 16, Hoboken, N. J. and 
patients transferred to the Hospital, Port of Embarkation. 

August 19th, proceeded to Morse Dry Dock Plant for three 
weeks' repairs. A ventilating system that had been authorized by 
C. & R. letter 0-T P X-3 dated December 14, 1917, was partially 
installed duririg repair period and completed about eight months 
later. Up to this time there had been no ventilation in troop holds 
or crew quarters except windsails. 

Upon the completion of repairs the ship returned to Hoboken 
on September nth, and prepared to embark troops. The writer 
of these notes was transferred to the U. S. Naval Hospital, Wash- 
ington, D. C, on September 15th, the date of beginning the next 
trip, and returned on board on October i6th. 

The trip beginning on September 15th was in many respects the 
most eventful the ship made. Sailed at 2:15 p. m. with in officers 
and 2,808 troops of the following organizations: 374, August Re- 
placement Draft, I, 2, 20, 21, 25, 371, 372 and 373 Casual Companies, 
Numbers 41 and 44 Medical Replacement Units, No. i and No. 2 
Q. M. C. Units and 813 Infantry Ordnance Detachment. The con- 
voy was escorted by the U. S. S. Ne-w Hampshire and the U. S. S. 
Pueblo and the destroyers Strihling and Stringham. The following 
ships made up the convoy: POCAHONTAS, Aeolus, Calamares, Pow- 




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hafan, Martha Washington, Henderson, Finland, Matsonia, Ulva, 
Patria, Koningin De Nederlanden and H. M. S. Kursk. 

September ryth, 3 :oo p. m., port condenser out of commission, 
going ahead on starboard engine. 6:50 p. m., repairs completed and 
going ahead under both engines. 

September r9th, 4:53 p. m., U. S. S. New Hampshire broke out 
port submarine warning flag. 

September 24th, 2:20 p. m., Nederlanden reports hearing gun 
fire bearing 100° true; no action taken. 

September 25th, 5:35 p. m., picked up destroyer escort. 7:42 
p. m. U. S. S. Pueblo left convoy, headed west. No record of when 
U. S. S. New Hampshire left. 

September 27th, water very phosphorescent, the wake of a num- 
ber of porpoises distinctly seen. 

This Avas just about the time the influenza epidemic was prev- 
alent in the Eastern States, and the POCAHONTAS did not escape. One 
case was admitted the day the troops embarked, and several added 
daily until the seventh day, when seventy-six cases were admitted, 
eighth dav, fiftv-seven cases, and by the thirteenth day, when the ves- 
sel arrived in Brest, a total of 307 cases had been admitted; many 
mild cases were not taken up on the sick list at all. Only three deaths 
had occurred up to the time of arrival in port. One on September 
27th, and two on the 28th ,and two occurred on the 28th after arrival 
in port. 2,000 troops debarked immediately after arrival, but owing 
to the fact that lighters were not available, about 1,000 remained on 
board until September 30th, when they were debarked, with the 
exception of twentv-nine who were too ill to eo ashore with their 
command, and the Hospital Boat was not available for their transfer. 
On the afternoon of September 29th, i c;4 Army patients were trans- 
ferred to U. S. Naval Base Hospital No. i. Six deaths occurred on 
September 30th, one being a naval aviator (passenger). During 
the epidemic No. 7 hold was cleared of troops and used as a sick-bay, 
the sickest being put on cots on "B" deck. The Army seemed demor- 
alized to a certain extent and very little assistance was given to the 
Navy Medical Department by the Army Medical Personnel with 
few exceptions. 

All the ship's ofTicers, line, pay and medical, helped care for 
the sick. A Pay Officer on more than one occasion gave medicine, 
to patients and assisted in many other ways. 

In the meantime the Navy personnel itself, had not escaped, 
eighty-seven cases of influenza, one of diphtheria and one of lobar 
pneumonia having developed, but with only one death up to this 
time, the aviation passenger as noted above. 

The ship sailed on the return voyage at 12:10 p. m., October 
I St, with convoy and escort. Destroyer escort left convoy at dusk 
October 2nd. 

October 9th extraordinary electrical disturbances from midnight 



to 12:30 a. m.; practically continuous flashes of lightning, continu- 
ing until 2:30 a. m., accompanied by heavy rain. 

There were on board the twenty-nine patients above referred 
to, who were too ill to go with their command, and one Army 
Medical Oflicer and several Army Hospital Corpsmen who were 
not disembarked. This officer. Lieutenant Hardesty, did excellent 
work on the return trip, as he also did going east. 

Of the twenty-nine Army patients remaining on board, nine died 
en route home, and other twenty were transferred to Hospital at 
Ellis Island on October 12th. 

On the return trip the following diseases developed among the 
Navy personnel: Lobar pneumonia, scarlet fever, and influenza, with 
three deaths, bringing the total up to: Army, nineteen; Navy, four; 
the twenty-three bodies were embalmed and returned to the United 
States. After inspecting the Army remains at Hoboken, the Army 
authorities reported that they were in better condition than those 
from any other ship of the transport fleet. The ship's licensed 
embalmer at this time was at the Hospital Corps Training School 
at Hampton Roads, and all the embalming was done by T. L. Gar- 
rigan, PhM-i,U. S. N. 

Arrived at Hoboken 11:20 a. m., October 12th; the writer re- 
joined the ship there on October i6th. o tt c 

On October 21st at 12 m. sailed for France with 2,04b U. b. 
Marines, and 15 U. S. U. C. Officers of the 7th and 8th Separate 
Battalions U.S.^LC.,40 Army Officers, 6 Naval Officers and 4 Navy 
enlisted men as passengers, the convoy was made up of the follow- 
ing ships: Pocahontas, Aeolus, Martha Washington, Madmcaska, 
Sobral, Comfort and Due D'Aosla, and was escorted by the (_/. S. b. 
New Hampshire, U. S. S. Charleston and the destroyer Radford. 

The number of troops was purposelv reduced on account ot the 
possibilitv of there being another outbreak of influenza No troop, 
were put m No. 7 hold, which was reserved for a sick-bay. Uuring 
the trip 201 cases of influenza developed among the Marines as tol- 
lows: 3 on 3rd day, 21 on the 4th day, 8 on the sth day 10 on the 
6th day, 25 on the 7th dav, 38 on the Sth day, 41 on the 9th day, and 55 
during the next 5 days.' Only 2 cases developed among the Navy 
personnel, i on the Sth and i on the loth day. There were no aeaths. 

October 31st, 5:22 p. m., sighted destroyer escort; also four west- 
bound steamers; 6:00 p. m., destroyers joined convoy and L. 6. ^. 
Charleston left, heading west. No record can be found of the time 
the New Hampshire left the convoy. 

Arrived Brest at 11 :iS a. m., November 3rd, and at 3:00 p. m. 
all troops had debarked. Eighty-six cases of influenza transferred 
to Hospital, Port of Debarkation. 

November 6th, 8:10 p. m. Jean Lenzo, Belgian orphan who 
tried to "stow away" for transportation to United States, was sent 
ashore and placed in custody of Beach Master. 





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Sailed for the United States 3:02 p. m., November 7, 191 8, having 
as passenger Capitaine de Vasseau de Saint Seine of the French Navy 
for duty as Naval Attache at Washington. The following patients 
were embarked: Navy, i officer, 7 enlisted men; Army, 16 officers, 
8 nurses and i attendant, 136 enlisted men and 6 U. S. M. C. enlisted 
men. 

There were two deaths on the return trip: John W. Bennett, 
Private Co. A, 4th M. G. B., on November 12th, pulmonary embolus, 
following mastoid operation with thrombosis of lateral sinus and 
jugular vein; and 2nd Lieutenant Frank R. Bronson, Q. M. C, U. 
S. A., on November 15th, chronic valvular heart disease. This 
officer was classed on passenger list as an "ambulatory surgical" case, 
but was immediately discovered and out to bed in the sick-bay. 

November 7th, 10:00 p. m., picked up S. O. S. from a ship being 
shelled about 10 miles distant, so destroyer escort went to rescue and 
convoy continued unescorted. 

November 8th, during dog watches, heavy swells and ship pitch- 
ing heavily. 

At 5 :oo p. m., Monday, November nth, "all hands" were called 
to quarters and assembled on the lee side of "B" deck, the Executive 
Officer, in the presence of the Captain and all the ship's officers, 
published Alnav message No. 173 as follows: "Armistice signed 
at 5:00 a. m. November nth; hostilities cease at n :oo a. m. G. M. T. 
13011 signed 'Secnav.' " There was wild enthusiasm. That night 
and the following night screened lights were allowed. On the night 
of the 13th, authority was granted by an Alnav message to have 
lights throughout the ship and for a short while every light on the 
ship was turned on. 

At 10:00 a. m. on November 12th there was a celebration by the 
crew, a parade around "A" deck with music furnished by sailors us- 
ing dishpans, buckets and other noise producing instruments. 

On November 15th at 12 m., received SOS from U. S. S. 
Mania asking for a tow on account of disabled engines. Picked 
her up at 9:00 p. m. the same day and stood by till next morning 
(i6th), when we got a line to her at 8:00 a. m. ; line parted at 9:15 
a. m. ; got line to her again at i :i4 p. m. and towed her until 9:00 
p. m. on the 17th, when she was taken in tow by a tug, U. S. S. Avocet, 
which came out from Boston. 

Arrived Newport News 1 1 :25 a. m., November 20th, debarked 
patients and passengers and at 1 1 :oo a. m., November 22nd, sailed for 
New York with 43 officers and 1,775 enlisted men of the 37th Reg. 
C. A. C, U. S. A. Many of our liberty party were left ashore, some 
of whom joined us in Hoboken on the 23 rd, the remainder upon our 
return to Newport News. The writer got on board just as the gang- 
way was being rigged in. 

Arrived New York 12 m. on the 23rd, amid wild enthusiasm, 
everyone taking these to be the first troops to arrive from France. 
Troops debarked at 3:00 p. m. (23rd), and at 8:00 a. m., November 



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24th, 138 officers and 2,800 enlisted men of the 12 Reg. Infantry, 
U. S. A., embarked. At 3 :i^ p. m., underway and arrived at Newport 
JN'ews 7:16 p. m., November 2i;th. 

At 9:00 p. m. Commander fohn Downes, U. S. N., reported on 
board as relief for Captain E. C. Kalbfus. Secured to C. & O. No. 4 
pier at midnight. Troops and seven Army patients immediately 
debarked. 

At 7:00 a. m., November 26th, went to coaling piers, Lambert's 
Point, where photographs were made of the ship, crew and officers. 

November 27th. Commander John Downes, U. S. N. assumed 
command of the POCAHONTAS, Captain Kalbfus being detached to 
command U. S. S. loava. 

After coaling and taking on cargo, sailed for Hoboken on Decem- 
ber 4th. A seaplane that escorted us was wrecked on the way back 
to port and we headed in her direction to render assistance but she 
was picked up and towed by another vessel before we reached her. 

Arrived at Hoboken 11 r^o a. m. on the 5th to take on Christmas 
mail for the American Expeditionary Force. 

One hundred Army nurses reported on board on December 8th 
for passage to France and at 12 m. the same day sailed. 

December nth, severe snowstorm during afternoon watch; so 
thick, necessary to blow fog whistle. 

December i8th, thick weather during afternoon watch; c :oq p. 
m., anchored in harbor of La Rochelle after much difficulty in finding 
anchorage due to thick weather and strong west wind. 

December 19th, 8:50 a. m., underway; 2:24 p. m., anchored in 
Gironde River off Pointe de Grave. There was a strong flood tide 
running and a gale blowing; the ship became unmanageable and it 
was only due to the excellent seamanship of the Commanding Officer 
that considerable and serious damage was not done to the POCA- 
HONTAS and another ship. 

December 20th, 3 148 a. m., underway, and 8 130 moored at Bas- 
sens. 2:10 p. m.. Army nurses debarked. Two medical officers re- 
ported from Base Hospital No. 5, Brest, for temporary duty and 
transportation to the United States. 

2,869 troops and officers of the 126 F. A. and 109 Ammunition 
Train and i officer and 44 enlisted men. Navy, embarked on Dec. 
23rd and patients as follows: Navy, i from air station at Pauillac; 
Army, 8 officers and 30 enlisted men from Base Hospital No. 22. 

At 8:00 a. m. on the 24th underway and anchored at La Verdon 
at 12 m. At 8:00 p. m. had Christmas tree and celebration in ward- 
room for Army and Navy officers. 

December 25th, Christmas Day: 9:30 a. m., underway for United 
States. Christmas celebration for crew and troops 2:00 p. m., pres- 
ents being distributed to every man on board by Y. M. C. A., Red 
Cross, and K. of C. 

December 31, 1918: Smoker and celebration, music, reading, 
boxing, etc., in wardroom from 8:00 p. m. to midnight. At midnight 






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sixteen bells were struck and the ship's band and two troop bands 
played the National Anthem. 

Arrived at Newport News 8:17 p, m., January 4, 1919, going to 
dock at 7:35 o'clock the next morning and immediately debarking 
troops, patients embarked in France, and twenty-one admitted during 
the trip. 

At 4:37 p. m., January 6th, sailed for Navy Yard, Philadelphia, 
for two weeks repairs and docking. 

Upon completion of repairs the ship sailed for France at 12:15 
p. m., January 21, 1919. 

On February ist passed Isle de Ycu where Tenedores was 
aground and 3:14 anchored ofif Point de Grave, Gironde River. At 
3:50 a. m., February 3rd, underway, arriving at Bordeaux (Bassens) 
at 7:49 a. m. 

At 10:00 a. m., February 5th, i officer and 24 men (sick and 
wounded) received from Base Hospital No. 20, for transportation 
to the United States. The same day 1 1 1 officers and 2,794 men of the 
62nd C. A. C, U. S. A., formerly California National Guard, and 
several Casual Companies and 5 civilians (Y. M. C. A.) embarked. 
The ship sailed at 2:53 p. m., February 6th. 

February loth, 5:25 p. m., picked up mountain peak (1,349 ft. 
high) on Graciosa Island, Azores. 




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February i8th, 4:45 p .m., met three battleships, U. S. S. Louisi- 
ana, flagship. 

Arrived at Newport News 10:30 p. m., February i8th. Docked 
at 7:37 a. m. the next day and troops, 25 sick and wounded, and nine 
patients admitted during the voyage, debarked. Went to Lambert's 
Point \yhere the ship was disinfected for vermin and rats by an officer 
of the "U. S. Public Health Service, by the cyanide method, on Feb- 
ruary 21st, the crew returning aboard at 11:00 a. m. on the 22nd; 
results unsatisfactory. 

After coaling, the ship sailed at 5 :oo p. m., March 2nd. March 
3rd, 9:45 a. m., man overboard drill. 

March 5th, Aurora Borealis could be plainly seen throughout the 
entire period of the first watch. 

March loth, 6 a. m., sighted U. S. S. Pueblo. 

March 12th, 3:40 a. m., D. F. Jordan, CiM-2, fell out of a ham- 
mock, fracturing os pubis. 

Arrived St. Nazaire, France, 3 :io p. m., March 13th. 

On March 1 6th, 77 officers and 2,839 men of the 1 17th and 11 8th 
Infantry, a part of the "Fighting" 30th Division (Old Hickory Di- 
vision), and one civilian (Y. M. C. A.) embarked for the United 
States. No patients received for transportation. At 2 :o6 p. m. the 
same day sailed for Charleston, S. C. 



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March 20th, 3:150 p. m., Flores Island, Azores, on starboard side 
five miles distant, bearing 352° true. 

On this trip a mild epidemic of influenza developed among the 
troops, there being 34 cases, one of lobar pneumonia and one of 
broncho pneumonia; the case of broncho pneumonia, Pvt. Edward H. 
King, Co. L, 1 1 8th Infantry, died at 1:30 a. m., March 28th, after 
the ship had anchored in Charleston, S. C, harbor. 

Anchored ofif Fort Sumter 6:15 p. m., March 27th, and docked 
at North Charleston 11 :^6 a. m. the 28th; troops debarked immedi- 
ately and 12 Army patients, admitted during the voyage, transferred 
to U. S. Naval Hospital. 

April 1st. At Navy Yard, Charleston, S. C, discharging ammu- 
nition and dismounting guns. 

April 2nd, 2:15 p. m., while removing No. i gun from the ship, 
crane and purchase broke, the gun fell into the water striking the 
U. S. S. Machias amidships at the water line, staving in her side. 
Stand No. 158, carriage No. 174 and slide No. 197A were lost, but 
recovered the next day. 

After coaling and taking on supplies, sailed from Charleston 
II 130 a. m., April 7th. 

April 12, 1:05 a. m., temperature of w^ater dropped from 66° 
to 56°. Lookouts stationed in eyes of ship to watch for ice, but none 
seen. 

Arrived at St. Nazaire 8:00 p. m., April i8th, and on the 19th 
embarked the following: 107 ofiicers and 2,830 troops of the 112th 
Inf., 28th Division (Penna. National Guard'), and 356 Casual Com- 
pany, three Y. M. C. A., two wives of enlisted men, one of whom was 
aboard the ship, the other having previouslv returned to the United 
States, and one Army civilian employee, wife and baby. Underway 
at 5:30 p. m. the same day and anchored in Channel du Nord, Quib- 
eron Bay, at 8:00 p. m. until 5 :2t; a. m. the next dav (20th), when we 
got under\vay. 

April 24th, 2:31 p. m., changed course to speak French brigantine 
flying International signal; gave her latitude and longitude and 
resumed course. 

April 26, 5:15 p. m., died: Homer Dale Gardner, Pvt. Co. I, 
Ti2th Infantry, mixed malignant tumor, later determined bv micro- 
scopial examination to be adeno carcinoma, of pelvic abdominal and 
mesenteric lymphatics and liver. 

April 29th, II :5o p. m., sighted Five Fathom Bank light vessel. 

April 30th, 2:03 a. m., anchored three miles south of McCrea 
Shoal Gas buoy. 

6:30 a. m., underway, proceeded up Delaware River, followed 
by U. S. S. Mercury; i :oo p. m., met by various committees on tugs, 
amid wild enthusiasm. At 3:15 p. m., moored Pier 78, South Phila- 
delphia, and immediately debarked troops and 2<, patients admitted 
on trip; remains and effects of Pvt. Gardner delivered to Effects 
Quartermaster. 6:45 p. m., underway for Navy Yard, where we ar- 



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rived at 7:45 p. m. Repairs made while in yard. Ship in dry 
dock May ist and 2nd. Port propellor blades 56 and 58 discovered 
cracked, but no action taken by yard constructors. 

Repairs completed and ship underway at 6:15 a. m., May loth; 
foggy, overcast morning; when the ship got outside Delaware Break- 
water it was still foggy, the sea was very rough and there was no pilot 
boat to receive the pilot, so we proceeded, taking the pilot. Captain 
Poynter, with us to France. He was rather a large man and having 
started out with the idea of being home in a few days at the most, 
had very few clothes with him; he was able to borrow a few things 
here and there that he could manage to squeeze into; he seemed, 
however, to enjoy the trip and made one liberty in St. Nazaire. 

May nth and 12th, heavy fog during afternoon watch. 

May 13th, heavy fog during tirst dog watch. 

May 17th, 6:11 p. m., U. S. S. Florida about 2^ miles distant on 
starboard beam. 

May 19th, heavy fog during first watch. 

Arrived St. Nazaire at 9:35 p. m.. May 20th. On May 21st, em- 
barked no officers, 4 field clerks and 2,242 men of the 352nd 
Infantry, 313 Train, 88th Division, including. Major General Wil- 
liam Weigel, commanding the 88th Division, and Staff; 5 civilians 
(Y. M. C. A.) ; sick and wounded: 20 enlisted men. Army; 5 officers, 
Army; and 383 U. S. Army, and 12 U. S. M. C. mental cases accom- 
panied by 5 psychiatrists and 100 attendants. The mental cases were 
put in holds No. 6 and 7, sentries posted and a medical officer kept 
on watch at all times, day and night. Fruit, candy, etc., were 
distributed to them frequently; a victrola furnished; band concerts 
were held by No. 6 hatch, and moving pictures shown in No. 6 hold, 
daily. 

At 5:50 the same day (21st), we got underway and after an un- 
eventful trip, anchored at Hampton Roads at 8:19 p. m. May 31st 
and secured pratique. 

The next morning at 7:00 o'clock, docked at Newport News and 
debarked troops, patients, and civilians. 

Coaled at Lambert's Point and at 8:00 p. m. on June 5th went 
to Navy Yard, Norfolk, for repairs. 

On June 7th, while cleaning over the side, Samuel Marcus, Sea-2, 
fell from staging and was drowned. Did not come to surface and 
could not be found by several of his shipmates who dived for him im- 
mediately after he fell. Diving apparatus was secured and at 1 1 130 
a. m. diver recovered his body; after one hour's unsuccessful attempt 
to resuscitate him with lung-motor and artificial respiration, remains 
were embalmed and forwarded to his home in Bangor, Maine, 
accompanied by flowers from his shipmates. 

At 8:06 a. m., June loth, left Navy Yard, Norfolk, for France. 
9:51 a. m., schooner Anna Camp of Providence, R. I., standing 
up river in middle of channel, made no attempt to get out of channel 
or clear POCAHONTAS; when a head on collision seemed imminent 



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schooner's steerman deserted wheel, but later returned, putting wheel 
down, thus bringing schooner partially up into the wind. Due to ex- 
cellent seamanship on the part of the Commanding Officer of the 
U. S. S. Pocahontas, who was at that time conning the ship, there 
was no collision, but the mizzen sail scraped along the starboard 
davit heads, doing no damage to the POCAHONTAS and no apparent 
damage to the schooner. 

Navy Yard employee adjusting radio compasses from 11 :26 a. m. 
to 1:25 p. m. ; left ship on S. C. No. 409 at 1:25. At 1:41 p. m. 
standard speed ahead both engines. 2:25 p. m., Atlantic Fleet, by 
Divisions, holding target practice on starboard side 5 to 8 miles 
distant. Heavy fog during first dog watch. 

June 13th, heavy fog during second dog watch. 

June 20th. Passed fleet of fishing vessels during morning watch. 

Arrived St. Nazaire 10:36 p. m., June 20th, from midnight to 
2:50 a. m., 2ist, 73 officers and 2,795 troops of the following organ- 
izations embarked: 320 S. B., 255 and 276 M. P. C, 328 M. T. C, 
221 and 328 R. U., no C. H., 109 and no Guard Co., 6,486, 6,489, 
6,903, 6,495 Casual Companies and 44 nurses from Base Hospitals 
Nos. II and loi. 

At 9:00 a. m. the 21st, 85 mental cases accompanied by 2 psy- 
chiatrists and 40 attendants were put in No. 7 hold and a medical 
officer kept on watch at all times, day and night. 

On this voyage an unpleasant incident occurred. An Army 
officer assigned specific duties (Police Officer) became intoxicated 
and unable to perform duty; the matter was reported to the Com- 
manding Officer of the ship and at his direction the officer was ad- 
mitted to the sick list and cared for in the sick-bay until sober. 

Upon arrival in port the Commanding Officer of troops reported 
the case to the Commanding General, Port of Debarkation, for 
action in the premises. 

June 24th and 25th barometer varied during these two days from 
30.69 to 30.81, with a correction of only .02 obtained at Norfolk 
on June 9th. 

June 30th. Heavy rain squalls during mid watch. Arrived 
Newport News 10:15 a. m., July 2, 1919, and all Army personnel 
immediately debarked, mental cases and thirteen patients admitted 
during trip transferred to Hospital. 

4:15 p. m. the same day arrived I/ambert's Point for coaling, and 
at 7:00 p. m., July 5th, arrived Navy Yard, Norfolk, for repairs. 

July 8th, 5 :20 p. m.. Ensign H. E. Knowlton, U. S. N., transferred 
to U. S. Naval Hospital, Norfolk, lobar pneumonia, and died there 
July 14th. 

At 4:26 p. m., July loth, left Navy Yard, Norfolk, and arrived at 
Brest 3 :oo p. m., July 20th, remaining there until 2:15 p. m. the 22nd. 

By orders of Naval Port Commander no liberty was granted the 
enlisted personnel on the 21st, because there was a strike of all work- 



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men throughout France for that one day only; they desired a holiday 
and simply took it. 

At io:oo a. m., the 22nd, 124 officers and 2,85"; men of the fol- 
lowing organizations embarked: 308 Field Signal Battalion, 24th 
Train, Third Corps Fleadquarters 3rd Army M. P. Battalion, 415 
Motor Supply Train, Evac. Ambulance Companies 17, 29 and 37, 
Base Hospital No. 91, Brest Casual Co. No. 3218, Pontanazean 
Casuals and casuals "For Orders." 

After an uneventful trip the ship arrived at Hoboken 10:00 a. m., 
August ist. Seven patients admitted during the trip were trans- 
ferred to hospital and troops debarked at 10:30 a. m. 

At 8:30 a. m., August 8th, underway for France. 

August 17th, 5:25 p. m., nut on stay rod of salt water gravity 
tank blew off, flooding starboard side of "C" deck and running down 
into the blacksmith ship. 

Arrived Brest 7:47 a. m., August i8th. During this trip lost the 
tip (about 15 inches) of one of the port propellor blades. This 
blade and the one opposite were discovered to be cracked and a 
report made to that effect when the ship was in dry dock in the 
Philadelphia Navy Yard on May ist and 2nd; the opposite blade 
is still holding. 

Both starboard and port pressure piston rings were discovered 
broken upon arrival and steps taken to have new ones made. 

This trip has been looked forward to for a long time by all hands 
as it is the "Paris Leave" trip; the first party shoving off on the 
afternoon of the i8th and returning on the afternoon of the 23rd; 
the second party shoving off immediately upon the return of the 
first and returning on the afternoon of the 28th; everybody tired, 
but happy. 

Places of interest in Paris were seen and points on the battle 
fronts visited by various members of the leave parties, some of the 
officers getting as far as Brussels. The writer can speak personally 
of the beauty of the Marne Valley, the excellence of the French 
roads and the devastation done in Chateau Thierry and Soissons. 
Fields which were occupied by barb-wire entanglements, trenches 
and heavy ordnance a year ago, now beautiful with ripening crops. 

At 5 :oo p. m. on the 26th, the Commanding Officer was informed 
that the POCAHONTAS was designated to return home via Ponta del 
Garda, Azores, to pick up 14'^ naval officers and 55 enlisted men. 
At 3:00 p. m., 27th, U. S. S. Kroonland, her engines being disabled, 
undertook to shift anchorage, towed by the tug Penobscot. There 
was a 2 to 3 knot tide running and as she crossed our bow, became 
unmanageable and drifted down on us, we immediately veered from 
60 to 150 fathoms at the water's edge and the Kroonland let go her 
port anchor, but continued to drift, and at 3:43 p. m. struck ourport 
bow, at an angle of about 30°. She was made fast until additional 
tugs could be procured; at 4:50 she was clear and underway to her 
anchorage. Very little damage was done to the POCAHONTAS; about 




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40 feet of rail carried away, deck beading buckled in one place, and 
a coal shute, rigged for coaling the next day, was crushed. The 
Kroonland crushed her starboard gangway, and practically all the 
"doughnut" life rafts on starboard side; carried away a good part of 
her starboard rail and two boat davits of Nos. i and 3 life-boats, 
besides denting her side abaft the bridge. 

6:30 p. m., coal lighter moored to port side. 

4:00 a. m., August 28th. Severe storm came up; lighter pound- 
ing considerably and leaking. 5:15 a. m.. No. i motor sailing launch 
got adrift; picked up after daylight; had been carried up against the 
tide by the wind. 

10:00 a. m., tug took away lighter which was still leaking and 
pounding heavily. 

12:35 P- ni., received orders to get up steam by 5:00 p. m., and 
conie into the dock. (It takes 15 hours to get up steam and warm up, 
engines). 

4:00 p. m., coal lighters alongside and crew coaling ship. Wife 
and son of former officer of the ship came on board for transportation 
to United States. 

August 29th, 6:00 a. m., crew coaling ship, ten hospital corpsmen 
assisting. German prisoners expected at 8 :oo a. m. to finish coaling. 
9:00 a. m., severe rain storm. German prisoners did not arrive, so 
crew is still coaling and finished at 2:00 p. m. Field Day in progress. 
Army Officer came on board to arrange for us to take "war brides" 
to United States and not make the trip to the Azores for Navy 
personnel. 

August 30th. Obtained Bill of Health, Kirtley, J. W. SC-2, 
returned from Base Hospital No. 5 where he was operated on for 
appendicitis ten days ago. 

I :oo p. m., a liberty party of about 125 men sent ashore. 

7:30 p.m. Liberty party returned on board. Harbor very rough 
and entire liberty party got soaking wet; the entire party was sent 
to the sick-bay and a small amount of whisky given to each man to 
prevent taking cold. Out of a crew of 519, I think at least a thou- 
sand must have been on liberty, judging from the number who passed 
through the sick-bay. 

August 31st. The motor sailing lanuch broke down last night 
about eleven o'clock, while returning with officers from liberty. They 
had to break out the oars and row about a half mile in a pouring 
rain, to the U. S. S. Chattanooga, signal to the POCAHONTAS for a 
tow and reached the ship at i :30 this morning, wet and cold. 1 1 :oo 
a. m., troops, war brides, etc., embarking as follows: Casual Com- 
pany, 152; husbands, 96; "war brides," 100; babies (3 weeks to 3 
months old), 5; children (4 to 10 years old), 4; Army Nurse Corps, 
13; Y. M. C. A. (women), 3; Y. W. C. A., 3; French civilian, i; this 
j^oung lady, who acted as interpreter and was of invaluable assistance 
to me in my dealings with the "war brides," was en route to attend 



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Rockford (Illinois) College. 2:17 p. m., underway with "Home 
ward Bound" pennant flying and the band playing. 

September 2nd, 7:00 p. m., barometer falling rapidly, .12 of 
inch in last two hours. 

September 3rd and 4th, severe storm during both days. 

September 5th, Army nurses very indignant because they must 
nurse ill "war brides" and one said she would refuse to obey cer- 
tain orders of mine; however, she obeyed them. The Isolation Ward 
with ten beds was used as a sick-bay for the brides and proved very 
satisfactory. Accompanied by a nurse, interpreter, one hospital 
corpsman as recorder and another with a pitcher of water and a 
bottle of laxative pills, 1 made the rounds at 9:00 a. m. every day. 
Most of them felt "tres bien." 6:00 p. m., sea has been smooth today. 

September 8th, two soldiers had a fight today, one getting tiie 
left 8th rib broken at Costo-chondral articulation. 

September loth, 12:00 m., moored Army Pier No. 3, Brooklyn. 
2:00 p. m., troops, "war brides" and other passengers debarking; 
war brides going to Y. W. C. A. Hostess House; one soldier with 
fractured rib, sent to debarkation hospital. 

September 12th. Had expected to begin discharging ballast and 
stores today preparatory to going out of commission and everybody 
was happy, for all the reserves and D. O. W. men expected to be 
released immediately; a number of them desired to enter college 
and complete their education, which had been interrupted by the 
war, but orders were received today to be ready to sail on September 
25th, for Rotterdam, with German prisoners of war, internes and 
others. Everyone was much disappointed but went to work with 
a will to be ready to carry out orders. 

September 15th. Left pier South Brooklyn at 5:30 a. m. to-day 
and proceeded to Navy Yard where the ship was dry docked (No. 
3 dock) at 9:00 a. m. 

September 21st, the ship's band, all reserve men, released from 
active duty today. 

Left dry dock at 2:10 p. m., today and moored Pier No. 3, 
Hoboken, at 4:10 p. m. While in dry dock Nos. 56 and 58 port 
propellor blades were removed and replaced by Nos. 66 and 70. 
spares; No. 56 had a new^ end welded on and No. 58 had cracks 
welded, both being spare replacements. Starboard propellor blade 
No. 49 removed, end straightened and replaced. Bottoms scraped 
and painted while in dock. 

September 22nd. One Chief nurse and two nurses reported. 
5:00 p. m.. Secretary Swiss Legation, Washington, accompanied by 
General McManus, Commanding Embarkation Headquarters and 
Captain Zuckschwerdt, German Navy, Chairman of Committee of 
returning officers and civilians, came on board for conference with 
the Commanding Officer. None of them had positive information as 
to how many of the various classes were to come on board for trans- 
portation nor what equipment they would have. 






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It was decided that the women, children, Naval officers and civil- 
ians should be put in staterooms as far as they were available, the 
remaining civilians to go in upper holds one and three; the warrant 
and chief petty officers in hold No. 7 and the prisoners of war in 
Nos. 4, 5 and 6. Arrangements for sick and insane, made by Senior 
Medical Officer after consultation with Commanding Officer and 
Executive Officer. Sick to go in sick-bay, and on "B" deck outside 
sick-bay, weather screens being rigged; insane to go in Isolation 
Ward, which was immediately prepared by installing eighteen bunks 
in place of the ten formerly there. 

September 24th. 125 Marines and 5 U. S. Marine Corps officers 
reported for duty as guards for prisoners; quartered in upper No. 2 
troop hold. 

Department of Justice representative on board to arrange for 
taking insane from the following New York State Hospitals: Man- 
hattan, Kings Park, Central Islip and Willard; he was informed 
that they could not possibly be taken, as we only had facilities for 
carrying eighteen who were coming from St. Elizabeth's Hospital, 
Anacostia, D. C. A number of voluntary German civilian casuals 
for repatriation reported on board today and were assigned quarters. 
Mental cases arrived from Washington about 9:00 p. m., but re- 
mained on train as Isolation Ward was not yet ready to receive them. 
10:30 p. m., two nurses (female) reported for duty from Naval 
Hospital, New York. 

September 25th. Cargo and baggage are being loaded in cargo 
holds Nos. I, 4, 5 and 6, and in lower troop holds Nos. i and 2. 

More civilian casuals and internes arrived today; eighteen insane 
cases came on board at 10:00 a. m., and locked up in Isolation Ward, 
with two hospital corpsmen on duty in ward and a marine sentry 
outside door with key. Several sick arrived. Four mental cases 
arrived from Ellis Island in charge of Immigration Authorities, 
but were not received as space for them was not available. One 
insane with a guard arrived from Manhattan State Hospital, Wards 
Island, and got to sick-bay. He and his guard were put on the dock; 
later by some means he got on board again without his guard and 
was discovered in the sick-bay; after a hurried search his guard 
was found on the dock and he was again put off the ship in charge 
of his guard; nothing more was seen or heard of him. 8:30 p. m. 
Prisoners of war and internes who had been on the train in the piers 
for eighteen hours embarking. 

September 26th, i :oo a. m. Underway, with passengers as follows: 

French deportee from Ellis Island (stowaway from U. S. S. 
Montpelier, September 12, 1919). 

Prisoners of war from Fort McPherson, Georgia. {Swiss Le 
gation) : 

{a) Officers, 56; {b) Warrant officers, 49; (c) Chief petty 
officers, 98; {d) Petty officers, 142; {e) Privates (2 mental 
cases ) , 909. To tal 1 254 



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Deportees (from Boston) 13 

Deportees (from Ellis Island) 8 

Civilians (16 mental cases) 162 

Civilians (Repatriation Swiss Legation) 125 
Civilians (Repatriation Swedish 

Legation) 1 8 

Total 326 




Included in the above are the 18 mental and 38 other hospital 
cases. 

Among the officers are the former Commanding Officers of the 
following ships: S. M. S. Cormomn (Guam), Ge'ier (Honolulu), 
Eitel Frederick and Krori Prinz WUhelm (Norfolk), Odenwald 
(San Juan, Porto Rico) and U-J^8; and the officer on watch in con- 
ning tower of U-j8 when she was sunk by the U. S. S. Fanning and 
Nicholson off Queenstown, November 17, 1917. The officers and 
crew of the U-sS were brought to the United States on the U. S. S. 
Leviathan on her first trip. Among the prisoners are several who 
dug out of Fort McPherson and escaped, but were later captured. 

The writer knew personally and had official dealings with the 
Commanding Officer of the S. M. S. Eitel Frederick at the Norfolk 
Navy Yard, during the summer of 1915. There is a very excellent 
band among the prisoners, and concerts are given aft daily. 

September 28th. The prisoners are well organized and give no 
trouble; they obey orders readily and the holds are kept in excel- 
lent condition. Former Captain Zuckschwerdt of the S. M. S. 
Cormoran talked freely of his stay in Guam before the United States 
entered the war and appreciated the treatment he received there 
from the Naval Officers after he had blown his ship up rather than 
surrender it. He said he would always remember the words with 
which Captain Cronan greeted him when he surrendered aboard 
the Receiving Ship — "Sir, you are a brave man." 

Paul Richter, C. M. M., late of S. M. S. Eitel Frederick, died at 
I :29 p. m. today from cerebral hemorrage. At the request of 
his Commanding Officer and the German Committee he was bur- 
ied at sea at 5 :oo p. m. His remains were prepared in the usual way 
and placed in a canvas sack with one hundred and sixty pounds of 
grate bars at the feet. At the appointed time the band played a 
funeral march; the procession led by the Chaplain left the Mortuary 
for after "A" deck, starboard side, where a bier had been erected. 
The funeral service was read, followed by prayer and a short sermon. 
Six of Richter's shipmates were pall-bearers and a seventh followed 
with his iron cross which had been awarded him in January, 1915. 
After the body had been committed to the deep, the Marine Guard 
fired three volleys and the bugler sounded Taps. During the funeral 
service the engines were stopped and the ship "lay to." 



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September 29th. The "Spud peeling gang" refused to work 
today, because they received butter only twice a day while their 
officers received it three times. The Commanding Officer of the 
Guard instructed his sergeant in the presence of a prisoner to pick 
out ten of his huskiest marines and "introduce" them to the "Spud 
peeling gang"; the prisoner immediately disappeared and in a few 
minutes it was reported that gang had reported and was peeling 
potatoes; the "introduction" was not necessary. 

The first class passengers decided that it would be a good plan 
to give a "Cabaret" show in the wardroom and delegated Count 
von BernstorfY's nephew to visit the troop holds, look up talent and 
arrange for the show. He secured a pass from the Executive Officer 
and went below, but the prisoners, imbued with a spirit of democracy 
and political equality, refused to do anything in the way of 
entertainment. 

They then took up the question of a dance, and secured the 
necessary permission from the Executive Officer, but, after discus- 
sion, it was decided not to have it, assigning as a reason, that it was 
too sad a home-going for dancing; the real reason being that the 
band, also thoroughly democratic, refused to play for those, who, 
formerly and still, considered themselves the elect. 

This spirit, of "all men being born free and equal", which is 
doubtless at present, prevalent throughout Germany and which 
must be particularly distasteful to those who were the Aristocracy 
of the late German Empire, will no doubt be the salvation of the 
German people and may, in the course of time, secure for the new 
republic a recognized place among the nations of the world. 

September 30th. Two internes from Boston were caught steal- 
ing from some of the other passengers in No. 3 hold and given 
five days in the brig on bread and water, then in the brig, for safe- 
keeping, for the rest of the trip. 

October ist. Barometer falling rapidly. Northern lights very 
brilliant and beautiful throughout the first watch. 

October 2nd. Strong wind blowing and heavy sea running. One 
of the ship's dogs washed overboard. There was a small fire in 
the soiled linen locker, due to defective wiring. It was extinguished 
with pyrene before any material damage was done. 

October 4th. Received orders from London last night to go 
through North Sea during daylight. 

October 5th. Picked up Bishop Rock Light (Scilly Island), at 
7:20 p. m. ; at 11:00 p. m., received orders to call at Southampton 
on return trip and pick up English and Scotch war brides. 

October 6th, 4:00 p. m. Isle of Wight abeam. 

6:00 p. m. German band gave the following program during 
dinner: 

Musical Program 

1 . Ma rch A I il i tai re Sch ubert 

2. Overture Lustspiel Keler Be/a 



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3. Waldesrauschen Standshen Luedecke 

4. Myrthenblaetter Waltz Kruse 

5. Sextette from Lucia Di 

Lamme rmoo r Don izetti 

6. Am Bosporus Intermezzo P. Linke 

7. Delicatessen (Humorous 

Potpourri) G. Klein 

8. Heimatklaenge 

William Weber, Director. 

8:00 p. m. Entertainment in wardroom as follows, Schmidt 
being a first class passenger and Schwaller a patient, prisoner of war: 

Special Program 

1. Song Couplets in English and German. 

By W. J. Schmidt, 

Professional Vaudeville Artist. 

2. Zither Solo By G. Schwaller 

3. Card Tricks W. J. Schmidt 

October 7th, 5:32 a. m. Folkestone Light (England) on port 
beam, Gris Nez Light (France) on starboard beam. 

6:00 a. m. Destroyer No. 168, U. S. S. Maddox, came out from 
Dover with pilot to take the ship through the North Sea to Hook 
of Holland. 

3 :o2 p. m. Mass Lightship, off Hook of Holland, abeam. 

3:38 p.m. Dutch pilot came on board. Destroyer Maddox, 
which has been with us all day, left, heading west for Dover. 

5:00 p. m. Secretaries of the American and Swiss Legations, 
The Hague, boarded the ship from steam barge. 

7:30 p. m. Moored in Maashaven, Rotterdam. 

October 8th, 9 :oo a. m. Prisoners commenced to debark. 

10:30 a. m. Mental cases and patients debarked. Prisoners and 
patients to depart by rail at 11 :30 a. m. ; civilians and mental cases 
at 3 :30 p. m. The mental case from Manhattan State Hospital 
(New York), whom the writer put off the ship twice on September 
25th, came to the sick-bay this morning to get some information about 
his baggage. Inquiry disclosed the fact that after exhausting all 
other resources he had gone to the Secretary of the Swiss Legation 
and induced him to transfer him from a hospital case to third class 
accommodation and he had made the trip, keeping quiet until after 
arrival. The writer was glad to see him get home, but refused to 
take the responsibility of having a mental case at large on the ship. 

As far as the Dutch are concerned, we are still at war, so no 
liberty can be given the crew, but sight-seeing parties in charge of 
a petty officer, who must keep them together, may be sent ashore. 
Usual liberty for officers. One of the nurses, before going ashore, 
copied the name of the dock which was painted over the door; this in 
order to give it to a cabman to bring her back to the ship. Before 



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long, however, she found out that what she had copied was "smoking 
prohibited on this dock." It was too good a joke to keep, so she told 
it on herself. 

Five enlisted men from Naval Port Officer received on board for 
transportation to United States. 

Sight-seeing parties returned in good order, one party of marines 
returned without the sergeant who was in charge. 

October 9th, 2:15 p. m. Underway for Antwerp. The Maas 
(Meuse) River passes through a beautiful agricultural country, 
thickly dotted with windmills; many herds of cattle are seen and the 
fields are green and well cared for. 

4:20 p. m. Passed out of the river and into North Sea. River 
pilot left ship. 

6:10 p. m. Off mouth Scheldt River. River pilot came on board. 

9:35 p. m. Anchored off Vlissingen (Flushing), Netherlands. 

October loth, 8:30 a. m. Underway. 11:40 a. m., crossed Bel- 
gian frontier, marked by tall watch tower, built by the Germans in 
order that they might see what was going on in Holland. 

11:50 a. m. Belgian c]uarantine officer came on board and 
granted pratique. 

1:33 p. m. Anchored in river. 2:30 p. m., underway. 

3:00 p. m. Entered dock. 3:35 p. m., Belgian pilot came on 
board and river pilot left the ship. 

5:30 p. m. Moored Pier 71 A "Siberia." 

8:00 p. m. First leave party left the ship. 

October nth. Discharging cargo. 

October 13th. Just at dinner time the writer received a message 
that he was urgently needed on the French ship Nom Hugo Stinnis, 
lying just astern of the POCAHONTAS. Upon arrival there, I was 
directed immediately to the cabin, where I found the Captain dead of 
heart disease. He had spent the day in Antwerp and returned at 5 :oo 
p. m. ; died about 6:10 p. m. The Nora Hugo Stinnis is a French 
merchant ship obtained from Germany and manned by naval 
reserves. 

October 14th. Called on French Consul General today about 
death of French officer last night. 

The following passengers embarked today: Provisional Bat- 
talion Prisoners of War Escort, 24 officers and 944 enlisted men; 
Q. M. C. Detachment, i officer, 61 men; i retired army officer and 
5 children; this officer is eighty-two years old, a civil war veteran 
and with his two daughters and three sons was interned in Germany 
during America's participation in the war. 

October 15th, 2:00 p. m. Severe snowstorm which lasted about 
ten minutes. 

Troops embarking as follows: 2nd Pioneer Infantry, Officers, 
29; enlisted men, 856; Army G. C. M. prisoners, 5; Casual officers, 
6; Army field clerks, 2; Army nurses, 7. Total passengers, 1,941. 






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October i6th, 6:05 a. m., undenvay. 11 150 a. m., anchored Vlis- 
singen (Flushing), Netherlands. 

October 17th, 7:05 a. m., underwa}', passed through channel 
alongside dykes which surround the city; could almost step over 
on dykes. 

9:00 a. m. Destroyer No. 168, U. S. S. Maddox, fell in with us. 
Later in the forenoon she came up on our port beam and took a 
number of pictures of the POCAHONTAS, then came around on our 
starboard beam for us to get pictures of her. 

4:00 p. m. Passed North Goodwin Lightship; weather thick 
and fog-horn of lightship blowing, sounding exactly like a cow 
bellowing. 

5:00 p. m. Destroyer took Belgian pilot off and proceeded to 
Dover. 

October i8th, 12:30 a. m. Anchored below Southampton. 

6:00 a. m. Underway. 8:30 a. m., moored at Southampton. 

11:00 a. m. Passengers embarked as follows: Navy officers, 4; 
officers' wives, 3; officers' children, 3; Navy enlisted men, 5; enlisted 
men's wives, 37; children, 10; 11. S. M. C. enlisted men, 2; U. S. M. 
C. enlisted man's wife, i ; Army officers, 2; Army enlisted men, 10; 
Army wives, 20; Army children, 7; welfare workers: Red Cross, i ; 
Y.W. C. A., I. Total 106. 

To care for all the Naval officers, women and children in state- 
rooms, five Army medical officers were put in sick-bay, eighteen 
Captains and First Lieutenants in Isolation Ward, all temporarily, 
and about forty First and Second Ijieutenants put in No. i troop hold. 

I :io p. m. Underway for Brest, France. 

October 19th, 8:55 a. m. Anchored Brest Harbor. 11:00 a. m., 
transferred 31 officers and 2 field clerks to U. S. A. T. (formerly 
U. S. S.) America; 7 Army nurses, 10 U. S. Army enlisted men, 53 
brides, 17 babies and i Y. W. C. A. to Army Camp at Pontanazean. 
4:30 p. m., \J. S. A. T. America sailed with Admiral Halsted on 
board. French cruiser fired a thirteen gun salute. Admiral Hal- 
sted relieved at Brest by Captain Hellweg, formerly Commanding 
Officer of the POCAHONTAS. 

October 21st. Coaling ship. 3:00 p. m. Embarked the follow- 
ing: Army: 31 officers, 6 nurses, 30 enlisted men; Y. W. C. A., 7; 
Y. M. C. A. (Prisoner), i; American Library Association, i; 
Prisoners, 9 ; Navy officers, 5 ; officers' brides, 3 ; enlisted men's brides, 
12; children, 5; enlisted men, 50; civilian employees, 14. Total 
passengers, 2,1 17. q 125 p. m., underway for New York. 

October 23rd. Two soldiers missing. It is not known whether 
they came on board or whether they fell or jumped overboard. 
General muster of all the troops and a thorough search of the ship 
while troops were at muster failed to locate them. 

October 24th. There is a following wind and following heavy 
sea. During afternoon, holding summary court martial in ward- 
i-Qom, first in one place, then in another. A witness and the stenog- 



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rapher turned over at one time. 6:00 p. m., rolling so heavily (35°) 
that had to change course and head up into the sea on a course ap- 
proximately southeast. 

9:00 p. m. Sea quieted down and we resumed course. The Com- 
manding Officer of troops desired to appoint a Medical Examining 
Board to examine officers for demobilization, but was informed 
by his medical officers that it would be impossible to make the 
examinations as a complete urinalysis and blood pressure test were 
required. The Colonel came to the writer to know if the apparatus 
was available; upon being informed that it was, he appointed the 
Board. After being appointed, the Board decided all they needed 
to make the examination was a stethoscope. 

October 26th. Ran into another storm early today. 7:15 a. m. 
Heavy sea on starboard beam broke on "A" deck, smashing two 
wardroom port dead lights and injuring two soldiers — one, fractured 
clavicle, cuts on head and severe bruises on thigh; the other, multiple 
scalp wounds necessitating two or three stitches each — and one 
marine, severe scalp wound. 

October 27th, 11 145 a. m. Passed derelict schooner B. B. Hard- 
wick of Annapolis, N. S., sunk to water's edge and masts carried 
away, but on even keel. 

October 28th, 7:25 p. m. Fire broke out in motion picture reel 
storeroom, burning up a two reel comedy before it was extinguished. 

October 30th. Received orders early this morning to be prepared 
to go out of commission upon arrival in port. The two soldiers who 
were discovered missing on the 23rd were arrested in Brest on the 
25th. 

3 :oo p. m. Nantucket Lightship abeam. 

October 31st, 5:30 a. m. Ambrose Lightship abeam. 

8:00 a. m. Off quarantine. Pratique granted. 

9:00 a. m. Moored Pier No. 3, Hoboken, N. J. All passengers 
immediately debarked. Eight Army and two Navy patients trans- 
ferred to Hospital. Preparations immediately commenced for going 
out of commission. The ship is to be turned over to the United 
States Army, to be used as an Army Transport. 

10:30 a. m. The officer who is to command the ship as an Army 
Transport reported on board. 

The Pocahontas has the unique distinction of being the only 
transport attacked by an enemy submarine, by gun-fire. 

This ship made nine round trips prior to November 11, 1918, 
carried to France 22,609 troops; brought back 373 sick and Vv^ounded 
and 27 insane. 

November 22nd and 25th one round trip was made between New- 
port News, Va., and New York, carrying a total of 4,713 troops. 

Subsequent to November iith, she has made nine round trips, 
carrying to Europe, 100 nurses, 1,580 German prisoners of war, 
internes, repatriates and one French deportee; bringing back to 
the United States 22,172 troops, 63 nurses, 88 sick and wounded, 480 



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insane, 12 wives of Navy enlisted men, 103 wives of soldiers, 20 
civilians, 11 babies and 14 Y. M. C. A. (men), 6 Y. M. C. A. 
(women), 7 Y. W. C. A., 5 children, i French girl student, 9 Navy 
Officers, 6 wives of Navy Oflicers, i wife of Marine Officer and 2 
wives of Army Officers. 

During this time troops were on board 247 days; there were 
1,358 admissions to the sick list, with a total of 4,973 sick days and a 
daily average of patients of 20.16. 

There was a total of 28 deaths among Army personnel, 25 of 
these among troop passengers (19 occurring on one trip during the 
influenza epidemic), 2 among the sick and wounded and i insane. 
One German prisoner of war died en route home. 

During the time the ship was in commission there were seven 
deaths among the crew; 4 occurring on one trip during the influenza 
epidemic, one from pneumonia and two accidental drowning. 

The average complement during the war was about 625, sub- 
sequent to November, 19 18 — about 560. 

The ship made two trips with 26 oflicers, after which additional 
officers joined the ship. Ensigns for training were constantly on 
board, being replaced by a new class after several trips. 

From the date of commissioning (July 25, 1917), until arrival 
at Hoboken (October 31, 1919), the Pbc.\HONTAS cruised 130,149.7 
miles, being actually at sea 460 days; in port 369 days: 

Percentage of time. At sea, 55.5 ; in port, 44.5. 

November 7, 3 140 p. m. Ship placed out of commission. 

On Board, U. S. S. Pocahontas 
April 29, 1919. 
Captain John Downes, U. S. N., . 

Commanding U. S. S. Pocahontas. 
Sir: 

The undersigned Officers of the Arm\' desire to convey to you and the Officers under 
your Command, an expression of their appreciation for the many acts of consideration 
and attention and the uniform courtesy which has made this voyage an occasion that 
will long be remembered by them as the brightest experience during their service in 
the great World's War just closed. 

While we have labored against the foe on land and trust our efforts counted 
for the defeat of the enemy, we are none the less mindful of the part our comrade of 
the sea has played. Of his contribution to the cause, his dangers, his privations, 
his gallantry, and his loyalty, without which our arms would have been useless. 

The welcome extended us, the hospitality shown, the co-operation which made 
all duty a pleasure, could have but the one effect and it is with the deepest sense 
of appreciation and the most sincere feeling of comradeship that we assure you of 
our best wishes and deepest love, expressing the hope that all deserved honors may be 
bestowed upon you. 

We trust that the comradeship felt by us may be mutual and that throughout 
the lives of each of us there may continue to be the same fellowship to one another 
and the same loyalty that has marked this voyage from a land of devastated 
material, broken hopes and hearts, to re-unite us with all that is worth while. Home. 

{Signed) George C. Richards, 

Colonel 1 1 2th Infantry, Coimnanding, 
and lOg other Officers. 





At Sea, 26 May, 1919. 

From : The Officers of the 88th Division, U. S. A., on board 

THE U. S. Naval Transport, 'Tocahontas." 
To : The Commanding Officer, Officers and crew of the 

U. S. Naval Transport, "Pocahontas." 
Subject: Letter of appreciation. 

1. The officers of the 88th Division, United States Army, both for themselves and 
the men under their several commands, desire, before reaching the land they have 
all longed for months to see, to extend to the officers and crew of the U. S. S. Poca- 
hontas, some expression of their gratitude and appreciation for the many courtesies 
and kindnesses of which, during the voyage from France, they have been the 
recipients. 

2. After an absence of many months, spent among a strange people, in a land 
torn and mutilated by war, it is impossible to express in words the feeling that comes 
with the realization that we are once more with our own people. Nor have we yet 
fully realized it, though thanks to the Navy as represented by you, \ve are fast 
becoming normal Americans again. 

3. To the Commanding Officer, to every member of the commissioned personnel, 
and to every member of the crew, we wish to say "Thanks and thanks," and while 
the words are trite, we ask you to accept them as our best expression of an apprecia- 
tion too deep, a gratitude too full, to be set in words. "The Army and Navy 
forever." 

{Signed) William Weigel, 

Major General, SStli Division. U. S. A., 

Commanding S8th Division. 

Napoleon W. Riley, 

Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. A., 

Commanding Officer of Troops, 

and g8 other Officers. 



30 June, 
Troops and Officers on 



1919. 



From: Commanding Officer, U. S 

board U. S. S. Pocahontas. 
To: Commanding Officer and Officers and Crew of U. S. S. 

Pocahontas. 
Subject: Our Homeward Voyage. 

1. After months of service in France on the part of some of us and years of 
service on the part of others of us, we find ourselves at last home«-ard boiuid with 
our task completed. It is with feeling of satisfaction for service rendered and a feel- 
ing of joyful anticipation with which we now return to our native land. 

2. While absent in Europe, our officers and men have been cognizant of the 
efficient work of the Navy during the last two years and we wish to take advantage 
of this time to say formally to you, the Captain of the ship and its officers, that we are 
not unmindful of what has been done for us. While we all have for the Navy, 
in general, the feeling given expression to above, permit us to say that we feel the 
same is especially true of the officers and crew of the good ship "Pocahontas." 

3. We have been aboard the Pocahontas for a period of ten days, and during 
that time there has been nothing but courtesj' and keen co-operation on the part 
of the officers and crew in regard to official matters, and nothing but good comrade- 
ship among both officers and men of the Army and Navy. 

4. That, sirs, is the feeling with which some of us, who are to stay in the Service, 
go to our stations and the feeling with vsdiich some of us go to our homes. In leav- 
ing you permit us to show, by our signatures below, those of us who are of this feeling. 

(Signed) Emmett W. Smith, 

Major, Infantry, U. S. A., Commanding. 
7/ Officers and 4.4. Army 'Nurses. 



U. S. S. Pocahontas, 
Brest, France, 
31 August, 1919. 
From: Commanding Officer. 
To: The Crew of the U. S. S. Pocahontas. 

At the conclusion of our stay in Brest the Commanding Officer desires to express 
to the crew of this vessel his appreciation of their very exemplary conduct, both while 
on Paris leave and on liberty in Brest. 

The Officers in charge of the leave parties report that there was no fault what- 
ever to be found with the leave parties' behavior on the train, either going or coming, 
and that the general appearance was far superior to that of other leave parties. 

It is needless to say that it gives the Commanding Officer great pride and con- 
fidence to have a ship's company of this kind under his command. 

The Commanding Officer earnestly hopes that those who went to Paris thoroughly 
enjoyed themselves and made the most of the trip, both in a way of pleasure and 
self-instruction. 

{Signed) John Downes. 

U. S. S. Pocahontas, 
At Sea, 
9 September, 1919. 
From: Commanding Officer. 
To: The Men of the U. S. S. Pocahontas. 

The time is fast approaching when the Pocahontas will be expected to end her 
career as a ship of the United States Navy, and many of you have, no doubt, planned 
that your experience in the Navy would end when the ship should be placed out of 
commission. Therefore it seems to me a fitting time to say to you, one and all, that 
never in my experience have I known a ship's company more uniformly industrious and 
hard working, or more cheerful under the arduous conditions of service which have 
been the routine in the Transport Force. Many of you have seen no other Naval 
Service outside of this kind of duty and are not acquainted with the conditions in the 
purely military forces of the Navy. 

It will be admitted at once that the Transport Force was perhaps the hardest 
working body of men of the Navy, both during the war as well as afterwards, while 
the Army was returning to the United States and the majority of you, if offered 
duty on the larger ships of the battleship force, would immediately accept such duty 
as a great relief from, the strenuous life in the transports. You have all earned the 
best commendation and favored duty in the Navy and it seems to me that by leaving 
the service at this time, you are most surely depriving yourselves of the most delight- 
ful side of your naval career. Why not remain and see a short tour of duty on the 
military ships? There is no doubt that you would all make good with plenty to spare. 

The Navy needs men, good men, not men to remain forever in lower ratings, but 
those who have had the training and can stand up under all conditions of service. 
Those men are now plentiful in the Transport P'orce and it is my g^reat pride to feel 
that the men of this ship are all that kind of men. Conditions in the' country are such 
that many of you feel like trying your luck in civil life for a while or some of you 
return to school or to positions left by you when you entered the service. 

To those of you who feel that you must leave the service, I want to say that I 
wish you the best of luck and regret that you cannot remain to see more of the Navy 
and its work in time of peace. Do not forget that you can return to the service within 
four months and receive all the benefits of re-enlistment. 

To those who remain I say that I know you will make good and reflect credit 
on the good ship 'Tocahontas." 

To you all I would like to state emphatically, that the Navy always has room for 
good men and does not count the cost when it can keep the men. 

John Downes. 



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FLAGSHIP 

OF TRANSPORT FORCE 

UNITED STATES ATLAN'TIC FLEET 

August 16, 1919. 

from: L-OMMANDER 1 RANSPORT FORCE. 

To: Commander John Downes, U. S. Navy. 
Subject: Inspection of U. S. S. Pocahontas. 
Enclosure: (1). 

1. There is forwarded herewith for your information, a copy of the report of 
Board of Inspection of the U.S.S. Pocahontas under 5'our command, 7 August, 1919. 

2. The Force Commander is pleased to note that the vessel under your com- 
mand is in excellent condition throughout, as evidenced by the Board's report. 

Albert Gleaves. 

» * * » -«• 

Par. 156 of the above mentioned report of Board of Inspection : 

The ship is generally in excellent condition and considering the age of the ship, 
the Commanding Officer, Executive Officer and head of departments deserve great 
credit. 

E. McCauley, 
Captain, U. S. Navy. 
Senior Me/nber of Board. 
Approved: Albert Gleaves, J'ice Admiral, U. S. Navy. 
Commander Transport Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet. 

U. S. S. Pocahontas, 
Navy Yard, New York, 
20 September, 1919. 
Fo the Officers and Men of the U. S. S. Pocahontas : 

.■1 

The Commanding Officer' takes pleasure in publishing to you the fktached cor- 
respondence forwarded to this vessel by the former Commanding Officer, Captain E. C. 
Kalbfus, U. S. N. == > p . 

Attention is particularly invited to paragraph 2 of Captain Kalbfus' letter in 
which he requests that his own thanks and appreciation be expressed to you for your 
loyal and efficient co-operation in the successful accomplishment of a difficult mission. 

John Downes, 
Commander, U. S. Navy, Commanding. 

DESTROYER SQUADRON THREE 
U. S. Atlantic Fleet, U. S. S. Rochester, Flagship. 

North River, New York. 

17 September, 1919. 
FVom: Captain E. C. Kalbfus, U. S. N. 
To: Commanding Officer, U. S. S. Pocahontas. 
Subject: Thanks and appreciation of War Department. 
Enclosure: (A) Copy OF War Department letter dated 
31 July, 1919. 

1. I take great pleasure in forwarding, herewith, a copy of a letter received by 
me from the Secretary of War, in which he expresses to the Officers and men of the 
Pocahontas, his appreciation and thaiiks for splendid service rendered. 

2. When the contents of this letter are imparted to the officers and crew of the 
vessel under your command, I request that my own thanks and appreciation also be 
expressed to them for their loyal and efficient co-operation in the successful accom- 
plishment of a difficult mission. 

{Signed) E. C. Kalbfus. 



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NA\rY DEPARTMENT 

Washington, D. C. 
August 30, 1919. 
To: Captain Edward C. Kalbfus, U. S. N. Destroyer Force, 

Squadron- Three, U. S. Atlantic Fleet. 
Subject: Official Efficiency Record, letter of appreciation 

FOR FILE with. 
Enclosures: 1. 

1. The Department takes pleasure in forwarding a letter addressed to you by the 
Secretary of War re appreciation of the War Department for the services rendered 
by you in connection with the transportation of troops abroad, and you are informed 
thait a copy has been placed on file with your official efficiency record. 

{Sii/neii} Franklin D. Roosevelt, 

Actinr/. 



WAR DEPARTMENT 

Washington, D. C. 

July 31, 1919. 

Captain E. C. Kalbfus, U. S. S. Pocahontas, (Thru the 
Secretary of the Navy). 

My Dear Captain: 

The joint operations of the Army and Navy in connection with our overseas force 
is rapidly drawing to a close. Before the Navy Forces engaged in the Army 
Transport service are demobilized, I desire to extend to you and the officers and 
men of your command, the thanks and appreciation of the War Department for the 
splendid service you have rendered in connection with the transportation overseas of 
the American fortes. 

I know of no one thing that stands out more prominently than the close co-opera- 
tion which has existed between the services during the past emergency and I am sure 
it is equally gratifying to you to know that we are near the end of a successful 
operation of transportation overseas and returning to the American shores a force 
of over two million men. 

Cordially yours, 
(Signed) Newton D. Baker, 

* Secretary of War. 



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TRANSPORT FORCE 

Hoboken, N. J. 

31 October, 1919. 
From : CoMiM.'\NDER, Transport P'orce. 
To: Chief of Naval Operations. 

Subject: Report of Inspection of the U. S. S. Pocahontas. 
Enclosure: (1) Inspection Report OF PocAHONTAS. 

1. There is forwai-kled herewith report of Inspection made this day of the U. S. 
S. Pocahontas, prior to being transferred from this Force to the Commandant, Third 
Naval District. The report of the Board indicates this vessel to be in an excellent 
condition as regards cleanliness, sanitation and discipline. 

2. The Force Commander desires to bring this excellent state of affairs to the 
notice of the Department. Special credit is due the Commanding Officer, officers 
and crew of this ship, particularly in view of the arduous voyage just completed. 

{Signed) J. V. Klemann, 

Captain, U. S. Navy, Chief of Staff. 



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In jflemoriam 



NAVY 

Ensign, H. E. Knowlton, U. S. N. 

Born: July 17, 1894. Died: July 14, 1919, Naval Hospital, Norfolk, Va. 
Lobar Pneumonia. 

Everet Monroe Reside, Sea-2 

Born: October 22, 1897. Died: January 9, 1918, U. S. S. Pocahontas, Brest, 
France. Lobar Pneumonia. 

Hugh St Elmo Croft, F-2 

Born: November 17, 1895. Died: June 17, 1918, Ocean View, Va. 
Accidental Drowning. 

Wesley William Harbaum. _MM-i (A) 

Born: December 18, 1887. Died: September 29, 1918( U. S. S. Pocahontas, 
at sea. Lobar Pneumonia. 

Ligon Moorman White, Sea-2 

Born: November 15, 1900. Died: October 3, 1918, U. S. S. Pocahontas, at 
sea. Lobar Pneumonia. 

Julius Amandus Anderson, C. Q. M. 

Born: June 25, 1892. Died: October 3, 1918, U. S. S. Pocahontas, at sea. 
Lobar Pneumonia. 

Charles George Walet, AS. 

Born: November 26, 1896. Died: October 11, 1918, U. S. S. Pocahontas, 
at sea. Influenza. 

Samuel Wallace Marcus, Sea-2 

Born: April 19, 1896. Died: June 7, 1919, U. S. S. Pocahontas, Navy Yard, 
Norfolk, Va. Accidental Drowning. 



ARMY 

Frank R. Bronson, 2nd Lieutenant, 301; Bakery, Q. M. C. 

Bom: No record. Died: November 15", 1918, U. S. S. Pocahontas. Valvular 
Disease, chronic cardiac. 

Jess Bond Hewitt, Private, 314 Field Artillery 

Born: September 4, 1894. Died: March 19, 1918, U. S. S. Pocahontas. 
Lobar Pneumonia. 

Cornelius Frommeyer, Private, March Repl. Det., Camp Lee 

Born: June 6, 1893. Died: March 23, 1918, U. S. S. Pocahontas. Lobar 
Pneumonia. 



^ 



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Walter Davis, Private, 3rd Co., Camp Lee 

Born: September 20, 1894. Died: March 27, 1918, U. S. S. Pocahontas. 
Meningitis, cerebro-spinal. 

Louis W. Leonhardt, Private, ist Prov. Rec. Batt. 

Born: No record. Died: June 9, 1918, U. S. S. Pocahontas. Drowning "A." 

Jethro McMahon, Private, 332 Lab Bn. 

Born: July 18, 1895. Died: August 3, 1918, U. S. S. Pocahontas. Tuber- 
culosis, acute pulmonary miliary. 

James Anderson Steelman, Private, 

1 Over Seas Casuals. Born: August 8, 1895. Died: September 27, 1918, 
U. S. S. Pocahontas. Lobar Pneumonia. 

John Sewell, Private, 813 Pioneer Lif. 

Born: December 18, 1888. Died: September 18, 1918, U. S. S. Pocahontas. 
Lobar Pneumonia. 

Albert Johnson, J r.. Private 8 1 3 Pioneer Inf. 

Born: June 4, 1893. Died: September 28, 1918, U. S. S. Pocahontas. Lobar 
Pneumonia. 

Harry Nance, Private, 813 Pioneer Inf. 

Born: January 1, 1896. Died: September 28, 1918, U. S. S. Pocahontas. 
Lobar Pneumonia. 

John P. Sheldon, Private 

21 Over Seas Casuals, U. S. S. Pocahontas. Born: March 5, 1897. Died: 
September 28, 1918. Lobar Pneumonia. 

Willard Hamm, Private 

21 Over Seas Casuals. Born: September 14, 1893. Died: September 29, 
1918, LT. S. S. Pocahontas. Lobar Pneumonia. 

William J. Walsh, Private, Medical Replacement Unit No. 41. 

Born: July 4, 1894. Died: September 29, 1918, U. S. S. Pocahontas. Lobar 
Pneumonia. 

Richard Hartman, Private, Unit i, Q. M. C. 

Born: November 26, 1892. Died: September 28, 1918, U. S. S. Pocahontas. 
Lobar Pneumonia. 

Frank B. Coffeen, Sergeant, Medical Replacement Unit No. 44 

Born: No record. Died: September 29, 1918. Lobar Pneumonia. 

John Jakober, Private, Medical Replacement Unit No. 41 

Born: No record. Died : September 29, 1918. Lobar Pneumonia. 

Leonard F. Marine, Private 

2 Over Seas Casuals. Born: August 3, 1895. Died: October 2, 1918. 
Influenza. 

Marion Robinson, Private 

2 Over Seas Casuals. Born : July 7, 1891. Died : October 3, 1918. Lobar 
Pneumonia. 

Harley Elwin Waters, Private 

1 Over Seas Casuals. Born: January 28, 1889. Died: October 3, 1918. 
Lifluenza. 




Jessie Craig Compton, Private 

1 Over Seas Casuals. Born: April 6, 1896. Died : October 4, 1918. Lobar 
Pneumonia. 

Tom Lucas, Private 

2 Over Seas Casuals. Born: January 18, 1891. Died: October 5, 1918. 
Influenza. 

Elmer J. Daly, Private 

1 Over Seas Casuals. Born: November 20, 1893. Died: October 5, 1918. 
Lobar Pneumonia. 

William R. Burchfield, Private 

2 Over Seas Casuals. Born: May 26, 1889. Died: October 7, 1918. 
Influenza. 

Jim Gann, Private 

Co. 1 Over Seas Casuals. Born: November 22, 1895. Died: October 10, 
1918. Influenza. 

William Phillips, Private 

Co. 1 Over Seas Casuals. Born: May 21, 1895. Died: October 11, 1918. 
Influenza. 

John Bennett, Private, 4th Mg. En. 

Born: No record. Died: November 12, 1918. Embolism, pulmonary artery. 

Edward Hilton King, Private, ii8th Infantry 

Born: February 12, 1900. Died: April 14, 1919. Broncho Pneumonia. 

Homer Dale Gardner, Private, 1 12th Infantry 

Born: July 25, 1893. Died : April 26, 1919. Adeno-Carcinoma. 



GERMAN PRISONER OF WAR 

Richter, Paul, CMM, German Navy 

Born: January 22, 1877. Died: September 28, 1919, U. S. S. Pocahontas. 
Cerebral hemorrhage. Buried at sea. 




